God’s Curve Breakers
September 25, 2021
But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Galatians 6:4 (NKJV)
Over the years, first in school and then in the workplace, I have observed two kinds of people. (I will not tell you which kind I am.) One kind anxiously focuses on knowing the grading curve and where they are on the scale compared to others. They demand to know what grade you got on the last test or what score you received on your last performance evaluation. They are constantly comparing the grade they received to others’ grades and boasting that they are better than you because they got a higher grade. Not surprisingly, when these folks are confronted about a low score, they use the information they gathered from others to justify themselves. “Well, at least I did better than so and so. Are you also confronting so and so about their grade?”
I have made two observations about the anxious comparers. One is they are never happy, and two is they are never the curve breakers. They take no joy in a job well done. They do just enough to stay ahead of the majority of the pack, but the anxious comparison goes on and on, every test score, every performance evaluation, forever. In Galatians 6, Paul tells them to STOP!
But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor. (AMPC)
The other kind of person I have observed actually follows Paul’s advice. Instead of focusing on what others are doing, they celebrate what they have achieved. They set small goals for themselves, and if they meet or exceed a goal, they rejoice. It does my heart good to see a struggling student or employee rejoice at a better score, even if it is only slightly better. High fives all around and a happy dance! This kind of person usually loves their job or enjoys the class they are taking because they have examined their own conduct and have joy in the doing of something commendable. It has also been my observation that they are the students and employees who DO break the curve. They are internally motived to get better and better compared to no one but themselves. This kind of person make no excuses for a lower grade; they accept responsibility for their work and usually redouble their effort to get better. Because of this, their potential is limitless. And, they have joy. Paul says that is what God wants for all of us - limitless potential and joy.