During finals it is easy to be caught up in the hustle, rustle, and bustle of GPA and grades. Stressing over the impending test as if your entire life depended on it, as if you educational career cumulated to this pinnacle moment. That your life and career aspirations are at the whims of remembering what a mitochondrion is, whether you should u-sub or integrate by parts, or even when the war of 1812 was.

It is okay to feel stressed at this time and want a good GPA for the semester. Grades are not completely irrelevant and learning something in college is kind of important, but there are other things in life that are more important. That last longer than grades, and is a more powerful force in your life than your GPA.

Whether you get a 4.0 this semester (mad props if you do) or if you get a 1.0, God still loves you, Jesus still redeemed you, and he is still in control of your life. Looking at the master plan and growing you into something great, in order to do something great. You are complete through God alone so everything else in this world is just bonus points.

You are bigger than some number on a piece of paper, and after you graduate you will do great things regardless of the fact that you failed Calculus five times and took seven years to get a bachelors degree in underwater basket weaving. Now this doesn’t mean you can close your books, leave Starbucks, and watch four seasons of Grey’s Anatomy.

Still try your best and strive to be that annoying person that gets an A on their final, or simply pass your incredibly difficult Organic Chemistry exam. But even if the outcome is less than desirable and you fall short of your goals it will be okay. ^“Know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Rest easy because God is in control.

So I challenge you to study hard, sleep at least a little, and remember that regardless of the final grade God loves you, he has a purpose for you, and is working in you. As always; make good choices, share if you like what I said, comment if you have something to add and I’ll see you tomorrow.