Above Average

Most healthcare majors require a course in anatomy and physiology during college. Our professional curriculum mandated four semesters of this course. It typically includes both lectures and laboratory sessions where we study human cadavers to learn about the different systems of the body. Most of us found the environment somewhat uncomfortable and were eager for lab sessions to end. However, there was one exceptional classmate who consistently surprised us.

The laboratory usually opens about two hours before our morning lab. Unlike most students who lived on campus, she commuted an hour from a neighboring city and was always there one to two hours early. She also never was the first to leave; often, you could find her waiting for the class to disperse so that she could engage with the professor about the material. 

Her hard work clearly paid off, as she was consistently the top student in our class. She had to invest more time than the average student to excel and gain more from the course. She frequently had one-on-one sessions with the professor, allowing her to learn concepts more deeply. While we missed this extra attention, she took the initiative to meet with him and unpack the lessons.

As I study the scriptures, I notice two types of followers of Jesus: the crowd and the disciples. Both groups followed and listened to Him, but what consistently distinguished the disciples from the crowd was the extra time they dedicated to learning—more than the average person. When the crowd departed, the disciples stayed behind; that was when Jesus took the opportunity to share deeper lessons with them.

Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us ….” (Matt. 13:36)

Just out of curiosity, I researched how much time the average Christian dedicates to reading the Bible. Most sources indicate that about 11 percent of Christians spend around 30 minutes daily in Scripture. If you want to distinguish yourself from this small crowd, consider challenging yourself to exceed this average or even surpass your personal best. Commit to dedicating more time to Scripture, and you may be amazed at the profound insights and lessons that the Holy Spirit will unpack for you.