Lessons from today's exam

Thanks GOD for life lessons from today’s exam (Biophysics):

1. Which one is right: Study for exam, or exam is for us to study?

Biophysics is quite different form other subjects as lots of calculations are needed. The professor also said that it’s important to practice on the calculations for the exam. BUT... Instead of doing much practice on the calculations, I kept trying to understand the concepts until late night yesterday. I did these because I really want to understand this subject, not just prepare for the exam.

After finished studying, I tried to do the past year papers. So many questions on calculations XD !!! All the past year papers provided have such questions, and I felt a bit guilty for not practicing on them. Surprisingly, today’s paper was really different from the previous years': much problems on concepts, rather than calculations. Praise GOD :)

2. Everything is under His control

I really don’t like to dicuss exam questions after exam has ended. But, inevitable thing happened. My friend suddenly came to me and asked, “For question …. the answer is … right?!” I answered, ”different from mine”. After checking with other friend, I realized that I made silly mistake. Of course I was very disappointed. Then, God reminded me: it happened under His control.

Mat 10:29, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.”

3. To keep seeking His will

Few days ago, He reminded me (in quite time) to seek His will always.

(I) He wants me to : “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” [1 Thess 5:18]. Thanks Father :)

(II) When I asked GOD, why He allowed such silly mistake (in the exam) to happen. Suddenly, these verses [Proverbs 30:7-9] came to my mind:

7 "Two things I ask of you, O LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

Shouldn’t I ask Him to give me “only my daily bread”?!

4. Motivation

Did I strive to get "perfect score"?

The "victory" only lasts in this world, while what I've done for the Lord counts for eternity :)

Mark 8:34, "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Thank Father for many lessons You have taught me during this exam period :)

Disclaimer: Lately, I write my blog in English. It's not because my English is good. Actually, it's very hard for me to write a blog in English. But, I’d like to share His- story (in me) not just with Indonesian, but with people from other countries as well. I’m sorry for some weird expressions, if you find any..haha..

Faith

Since last week, it’s quite difficult for me to believe what happened, what is happening, and what will happen. I already finished my first 2 exams this week, and it’s a miracle.

I was sick 1 day before the 1st exam (Tuesday). I had severe headache, but GOD was and is with me really. During that exam, I could answer the question and remember what I had studied. But…after exam, I felt the headache again. I prayed, “Oh GOD..it’s so painful, and I still have to finish lab report and study as Thursday I have another exam.” Then, I managed to finish my report and finally I handed it up on that day!! :) After that, I studied for a while, then slept.

The next day (1 day before the 2nd exam), the headache disappeared. Yeah, thank GOD. But..suddenly I got stomachache. Okay..I believed everything’d be alright. Jesus’s with me, He knows what’s best for me. In the next few hours, I felt much better...haha.. That’s a miracle. Then: ..study..study..study..for a whole day…until got headache again bcos I studied too hard (maybe). As such, it’s very difficult to sleep. Just could say 1 sentence, “If this is Your will, please help me to sleep!” Zzzzz… In the morning: quite time with GOD (He reminded me to look for His will always)..then study..study..study… Just 15 minutes before the exam…finished studying the notes!!! It’s a miracle!

When I asked You to give me more faith, You allowed this kind of situation to happen. Actually, I do not want to face that kind of situation again. But, GOD always gives me what I need, and not what I want. So, let only Your will be done..Thanks Father!

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

[2 Cor 12:9-10]

Exam Period

I almost cannot believe that my exam will be in the next 4 days. I think I had not prepared for it at all. Oh noo…I was even more panic when my friend asked me, “You haven’t started studying ah? Exam on Tuesday leh!” Of course I know exam will be on Tuesday, and the next exam will be on Thursday. I had just realized: it’s quite impossible to finish studying all the notes.

But then, I read a card from my friend, “Do not forget that exam is to make us study, and do not ever study for exam!” Yeah…I should not prepare for exam. Indeed, I should study better to offer a pleasing sacrifice to GOD, ie. during exam. Not for my own pride, but for GOD alone.

This morning, GOD reminded me to seek Him in everything I do, especially during studying. There are lots of things that make me amazed: how great Thou art. He created everything in a way that is really complex, and research is still going on. It’s a privilege that He allowed me to learn His creation. :)

After reflecting through all these things, He reminded me even more, just now through my friends. “What is the distinctive of Christian students compared to others? Can others see Jesus in me? If I am confident to come for the exam because I think I am well prepared, what’s the point?!” As Christ lives in me and I in Him, He always leads me and I am never separated from GOD. This should be the reason why I am confident to come for the exam.

God, you said in Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” So, I never skip class this semester, I have tried using my time responsibly. But then, I feel that I am still not prepared at all, and exam is coming soon. Teach me to believe that You are the source of my confidence.. Teach me to seek You in my study… Teach me to have a right motivation in my study..Amen.