With the end of May approaching, the Spring semester has already come to an end for college students and area school districts have either begun their Summer break or will do so very soon.  When I was in high school and college, I had mixed emotions at this time of the year.  On one hand, I looked forward to having a break from classes for a while!  On the other hand, I dreaded some of the end-of-year routines - i.e. tests, term papers, comprehensive finals, etc.

     I would hate to know how many hours were spent in studying for tests and comprehensive finals these past few weeks.  And, if other students were like me, a considerable amount of time was spent at the close of the semester on that term paper that had been assigned since the beginning of the semester (and then placed on the “back burner” until there was no choice but to get to work on it).  Yes, the closing out of a school year can bring along some stressful moments.  Yet, then there is that sense of relief when the work is done and the Summer break begins.

     With these things in mind let’s remember that we, as Christians, are to be students.  We need to focus our attention on our Teacher, listen to Him and learn from Him.  Remember the words of Nicodemus when he approached Jesus, “...we know that thou art a teacher come from God...” (John 3:2, KJV).  Of course, Jesus taught the will of God which has been revealed through His inspired word - “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17, NASB).  So, as students, we need to diligently study our “textbook” - “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV).  Within our “textbook” we find that we have been given assignments - not only to learn the will of God but to do it - “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man” (Matt 7:24, emp. add.).  And, all along the way we need to be preparing for our final exam - the Judgment Day.  “Therefore be ye also ready...For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (Matt 24:44; 2 Cor 5:10).  Let’s remember that this final exam is either “pass” or “fail.”  There is no in-between.  There is no settling for something in the middle.  With that in mind, let’s be diligent students and press forward doing our best.  Let’s work hard now in preparation for what is to come realizing that - thanks to the love, grace and mercy of God - that there is a time when we can rest - “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”  (Heb 4:9-10)        

     If the final exam occurred today, would you be ready?  Would you pass?