tims_world

I’m a proud man, esp. when it comes to academics. Before coming into college, the last time I didn’t get an A was in 7th grade. I was ranked #3 in my high school because I took geometry instead of geometry honours. Academic pride is something I struggle with during my schooling career. I thought not telling people my grades and gpa would solve it. To some extent it did, I didn’t seek the grades for the approval of men. It became a self-driven desire. When I got to U of I, I heard of this Bronze Tablet award. It’s for the top 3% of the university. I looked at my grades and knew I had a shot. Balancing school and church was never really an issue. Sophomore year, I took 16 credits while doing missions training. Junior year I did helpers and cruised through upper level CS classes. Then came senior year.

It was a real struggle for me to put God and small group ahead of my grades. I was so close to finishing but my callings conflicted. I struggled that year to give up my academic idol. I knew in my head that I had to put God ahead of my grades. I had to tell that to my heart. After a semester of wrestling, it was all up to God. I would always put God and small group ahead of my studying and if God wanted to let me achieve, I would.

A month ago I received a letter informing me I was to be awarded the Bronze Tablet. That’s great, but I didn’t really care. I knew it was I who deserved it. I know I received grades that I don’t think I deserved and it was only by the grace of God my name will be up there. I resolved not to tell anyone because I didn’t want the accolades or the attention. I didn’t deserve it, it was all God.

But that is the exact reason why I should tell people. It was not I who deserve the award but God. Don’t give credit to me but praise God. I am a testament that you can serve God and acheive academically. When I went to an award ceremony to receive my cord, I saw two other CFC people there and I know for a fact that they will testify the same way. It is possible to serve God and do well in school but you cannot serve two gods. If you question that it’s too hard to serve God and do well in school especially at CFC, the three of us will stand to testify that it’s possible on graduation day.

Psalm 115:1

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