That's not what the assignment was.

I was in a school this year as a supply teacher. That day, I was blessed to have a student teacher with me. Supply teachers know this is fantastic because you get to sit back and supervise the student teacher teaching their lesson. It doesn't happen often but when it does it is lovely! Well, while I was there the student teacher handed back assignments. Some were quite pleased with their marks, others, not so much. One stands out in my mind though. A little boy who seemed to be one of the ones who is more successful at school was quiet upset with his mark. After looking over his comments he flagged down the teacher.

"You marked this wrong," he said.
"Let me look at it.... Nope, that's right," she said as she looked over his paper.
"What is wrong with it?! It is the right length and a good paper," he said starting to get visibly upset. Clearly he had worked hard on his history paper and expected to get a good mark. He was a good student. He did a good paper. He deserves a good mark.
"You did a great paper," she explained, "but you didn't do the right assignment. I gave you the instructions. I gave you the rubric (side note for people who don't know - a rubric is a grading system used in schools. Teachers give it so students know what is expected.) You didn't do the assignment so that is why you didn't get a passing mark. I gave you the best mark I could."
"I will do another one. Please can I re-do it?" he begged.
"I'm sorry, but tomorrow is my last day in your class. There isn't time to do another one," she said.

Honestly, I didn't think much of it at the time. Funny how God will bring some things back into your mind at a later date.

Much like this little boy, we each have an assignment. It's laid out quiet clearly ahead of time if you take the time to look at the rubric and instructions. Or, like this student you can ignore it.

But you donated tones and tones of money! - Wasn't the assignment.
But you fed starving children in Africa, your neighbourhood or hundreds of other options. - Wasn't the assignment.
But you are successful and made a lot of money. - Wasn't the assignment.
But you loved your friends and family and were nice to everyone! - Wasn't the assignment.
But you (insert millions of other things in here). - Wasn't the assignment.

Much like this student, it doesn't matter what I think my assignment is. It matters that I do what it actually is. Yes, my life could be the "perfect" paper, but if I don't do the assignment then I don't pass. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

John 14:6

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

Criteria #1- Do you know Jesus? And I mean know him. Not chat with him when you need him. Not heard of him one day. Not friend of a friend. Not I met him one day in passing then we never spoke again. Do you know him? Do you talk to him and spend time with him? Not like when you sit with your guy friend watching a game on tv and don't actually say a word. Not like when you go on a date with someone at the movies and just ask them to pass the popcorn. Not like when my best friend and I talk for an hour on the phone while the kids are awake and only say about 3 minutes of words to each other. Do you spend real quality time together? You can't really know someone any other way.

 

Without criteria #1 everything else you are doing is not part of the assignment. It doesn't matter if you think the assignment is stupid (the student who rips it up and says "I'm not doing that"). It doesn't matter if you think it isn't fair ("This is too hard! Our teacher sucks!"). It doesn't matter if you even believe the assignment exists (much like that student who doesn't even come to school and thought "hey maybe nothing is even due")

 

Like my little friend in the class, there is one opportunity for you to do your assignment. You don't get a redo after the fact when you realize it was for real. Read the assignment, look at the rubric (if you haven't caught on my now they are in the bible). Get started on your paper, get a tutor (I know a few). The due date is sooner every day and may just catch you by surprise.

~Carly