How Do I Worship the Lord With My Grades If I'm Not An A+ Student?
A few of my friends always seemed to make A's during middle school and high school without even trying. It was so frustrating because good grades didn't come easy for me. After a while, I learned that doing my best might not mean I would be a straight-A student. And that's okay!
Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward." This command is something we have to remind ourselves of daily. Our work isn't for other people--not for ourselves, our parents, or our teachers. It's for the Lord!
Colossians 3:23 doesn't say, "In some things you do." No, it says, "Whatever you do." If you're working your hardest and honoring God in your schoolwork, your parents and teachers will know it. Most importantly, so will Jesus.
If you truly are having a hard time in school, here are a few tangible steps to take if you're not hitting the results you want, despite your best effort:
Talk to your parents. Be open and honest with them about your desire to honor God with your grades. Getting on the same page with your parents helps settle realistic expectations and goals.
Ask for help when you need it. Right now, you may be doing school virtually, or you may be back in a classroom. Don't ever hesitate to ask for help. The teachers and adults around you want you to succeed and feel confident, but you have to ask!
Talk to your teachers. As a former teacher, I can tell you how important this one is. Your teachers are in your corner and are ready and willing to help you, especially if you let them know it's important to you.
Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Grades aren't a reflection of who you are as a person, so don't let them define you like they are.
Your calling as a student is to work hard and honor God in your schoolwork, regardless of the grade you receive. However, this doesn't mean we shouldn't do our best.
Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 5:15-16, "No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." This passage reminds us that, as Christians, we are to be a light wherever we go, including school.
This means we reflect Jesus when we turn assignments in on time, done to the best of our ability.
This means we reflect Jesus when we don't cheat, even when we want to.
This means we reflect Jesus by not cutting corners and thoroughly completing an assignment.
This means we reflect Jesus when we respect teachers and classmates, just as we want to be treated.
This means we reflect Jesus when we don't let grades define us.
Worshipping the Lord means we honor the Lord with our hearts just as much as with our minds in academics. When this mindset is our reality, God gets all the glory and provides us with the joy of obedience.
Plus, working hard glorifies the Lord and prepares us for the future. For the rest of your life, you'll have deadlines to meet, expectations to uphold, and complete tasks. If you choose to start now to honor God with these areas of your life, it will be a huge help to you as you grow up.
Friend, if you love God with all of your heart, it's going to drive you to work hard when it comes to school. The more you fall in love with God, the more your love for Him bleeds into every area of your life! So, sister, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. You'll never regret honoring God in this important area of your life!
Mary Margaret West has a passion for equipping girls and women to dive deeply into God's Word and live out their calling by training, consulting, and speaking to students and leaders across the United States over the last 15 years. She is the author of Show Her the Way: Your Guide to Discipling Teen Girls and a former Girls Minister with a master's degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Mary Margaret and her husband Jonathan live in Orlando, FL. Connect with her on Instagram - @marymargaretc.