I mean, really bad!
Now a lot of people say this, but they're liars (jk).
Let me make my point clear..
When I was at Georgia State, I took two semesters of Korean. My whole life I didn't learn and would run away from Korean classes so much that my parents just gave up on me. I was a white boy in an asian body. Now, here was my chance. Now I can finally restore honor to my family and be a real Korean. But, after two semesters I barely passed with a D. It was literally the hardest class for me in all of my 7 years of school (thus far). And note, I was living at home and my parents help tutor me.
So for the last year I have been studying Greek on my own. To get into Bethlehem college and Seminary I had to pass a Greek entrance exam. I ended up passing the day before we started our semester. Other guys only started learning 6 weeks before. I even went to a 10 day Greek fluency workshop 2 months ago!
Point taken?
I'm not the average Asian.
I'm not naturally gifted with languages.
So due to my incredible handicap, I study a lot of Greek! On average, I study Greek about 28 hours a week. To get extra practice in studying Greek I am taking a night class at the school. This class is for the average Christian who wants to take theological classes part time (I am the only seminary student).
Now in the back of my mind, I thought I would be the best in the class. I mean, this is for "average lay" person. I have been studying sooo much. I may be last in my class in seminary, but surely I would be ahead of these people.
Wrong Sam.
In my class there are only 4 others. Let me highlight 2 of them.
1. Rosemary is a sweet 15 yr. homeschool girl who took greek 1 and now is in my class. She answers almost every answer right. She is amazing!
2. Jeff is 31 and is a full time lawyer with a wife and kids. He was invited to take this class by the teacher but he replied, "but I don't know greek." Thus, in 10 days he covered a year's worth of greek! I currently am ahead of him, but just barely.
So what do I do with this. I have several possible responses.
1. Quit
I am done with this. Clearly i'm not gifted in this.
2. Pridefully prove myself
I am Sam Choi! I can beat this little girl. I just need to pull myself up from my bootstraps and succeed. Ain't nobody gonna show me up!
or
3. Worship and depend on God
"Thank you Jesus for the Body of Christ. Thank you that we are so diverse. We compliment each other in our weaknesses and strengths. Thank you Lord for gifting Jeff and Rosemary. Please continue to empower them to go far SO THAT they may know you and glorify you. I am so glad they are on my team. Thank you that they are using their gifts for you. Although, I am weak in this area. Please give me strength and diligence. I know that since I am so naturally poor in this area, that any increase will come from you alone. Thus, you alone will be glorified!"
Please pray that God would help me keep this attitude in all things! I believe by God's grace I will eventually succeed!
How about you?
How do you do when someone is more gifted or blessed than you?
The Lord is sovereign over all gifts and weakness and this is a GOOD THING!!!!
