Among the many mishaps I remember during my college years, one of the most heartbreaking took place during a busy spring semester. A particularly difficult class had often threatened to destroy my record of decent grades; and before the midterm, I made certain to devote extra hours toward study time to prepare for that daunting test. On the day of the midterm, I showed up to take the test, only to realize that I had spent all of those extra hours studying the wrong chapters of the textbook. Needless to say, I did not receive the grade for which I was hoping.
I wonder how many of us will reach Heaven one day and, after decades of preparation, will realize that we spent our lives in the study of the wrong chapters. I Corinthians 3:10-14 reads, …But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon…Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
It is so easy to waste the time that God has given us on things that will not matter when we stand before Him. Just as I shudder to think of those hours I wasted studying the wrong material for that midterm years ago, I also grieve when I think of the multitude of time I have wasted doing things that only brought temporal success. I know we all want to receive the heavenly rewards of an earthly life well lived, but this goal can only be achieved by striving to do the things that bring Him glory. May God help us to spend our lives in the study of the right chapters.
by Abigail Medford
