When a Downgrade is Really an Upgrade
About 10 years ago, during the first day of New Testament class at HBU, our college professor asked us to rate ourselves on a scale of 1-10 according to how much we knew about God. So we couldn’t change our answers, we had to write it down on a piece of paper and, as we went person by person to introduce ourselves, we revealed our number.
Frustrated that I even had to take this class to pursue a degree in mass communications, I wanted to scribble a quick 10 and get it over with. I didn’t need to sit here. I grew up in the church. What more could I possibly learn?
I was the guy who everyone picked first when it came to Bible trivia in Sunday school. I suppose several pastor’s kids found themselves in the same position. It’s not that I knew all the answers all the time, but I knew enough of the answers enough of the time.
Teacher: “Who wrote Romans?”
Me: “Paul!”
Teacher: “Who wrote 2 Corinthians?”
Me: “Paul.”
Teacher: “Who wrote Hebrews?”
Me: “Paul?”
Teacher: “Who wrote 1 Peter”
Me: “…Paul…?”
I stared at my piece of paper and had my fingers poised to write down a one followed by a zero, when I paused. Sure, I knew a lot about God, but I also knew I should be humble.
I wrote a 9.
We went through the class by rows. We had a couple eights, some sixes and I remember a few fives. I don’t think there was anything lower though.
When it came to me, Dr. David Capes smiled and talked about what a high score that was. I wasn’t trying to show off. I was just trying to be real. I knew God. What else was there to say?
When the entire class finished, Dr. Capes gave his introduction. He was a long-time pastor in Houston, dean of the Christianity department at Houston Baptist University, wrote several books and even hosted a weekly radio show with members of other faiths to discuss theological issues.
Then came the reveal. I waited to see the professor’s paper on display with a large 10. What I saw surprised me.
Seven. Dr. Capes gave himself a seven.
I was embarrassed.
He explained to the class that his surprisingly low grade was not because he didn’t know his Bible or have a deep relationships with God, it was exactly the opposite. His knowledge of scripture and his consistent walk with God gave him a fresh perspective on where he currently stood and how much was left to explore.
The closer he grew to God, he explained, the larger and more grand God became and the smaller he became in comparison. The more he learned about God, the more he realized how much he didn’t know about God.
He considered himself a seven before beginning his ministry and the more experience he gained, the more he realized that a seven was still the best number for him, even at his current stage of life. This blew my mind.
“You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.” Psalm 40:5
It took me a while, but I got Dr. Capes’ point eventually. My arrogance at the beginning of that class was a sign that I desperately needed a right view of God’s magnitude. I needed to spend time in awe of God’s mercy and God’s grace.
It’s a different story now.
After graduating and spending a few years working in the media, I began to feel God’s call afresh. I pursued vocational ministry and and attended seminary. I grew at Asbury like I couldn’t even imagine and God has gotten larger and more grand in my eyes as well.
All those hours of seminary studies paid off. I’ve gone from a 9 to a 7.
May it always be the case!
