This Is What Grace Is

I’ll never forget a time when I experienced grace in a powerful way.

I was a student at College of the Ozarks and taking a class on the teachings of Jesus. Summer was upon us, and our class was diligently preparing for the final exam, the last obstacle between us and long days of sunshine, outdoor activities, and reading books we didn’t have time for during the semester. The exam was, of course, the culmination of everything we’d learned up to that point, and with each passing day, the hallway conversations and passing of lecture notes intensified. A handful of students organized study sessions that lasted long into the night, sessions I was unable to attend.

Consequently, I didn’t study. And as the exam day approached, I panicked.

I remember praying, “Lord Jesus, I need some grace here. I really need a good grade on this test.”

When I arrived in class that morning and took my seat, Dr. Chin passed out the exam, and with one final, desperate prayer, I picked up my pen and tried to remember everything I’d heard or read about Jesus that year.

Within a matter of minutes, I saw Dr. Chin walking from student to student, stopping long enough to write something on their paper. I tried concentrating on the work before me but couldn’t help noticing the increasing activity around me.

I remember thinking, “What is he doing? Doesn’t he know we’re taking a test here?”

Finally, Dr. Chin stopped in front of my desk, leaned over with his pen, and wrote on my paper. I’ll never forget what he wrote.

On the top right corner of the page, in red ink, was the letter A.

After visiting every desk, our professor stood in front of the class and said, “Class, this is what grace is. Have a good summer!” There was a mix of disbelief, confusion, and outright excitement. I left before he could change his mind.

Did I deserve that grade? No. Do I recommend studying for exams? Yes. Is it wrong to pray for a good grade? I don’t think so.

Grace has been defined as unmerited favor. We can’t earn it. We don’t deserve it.

I’ll never forget my professor’s grace that school year. His action pointed to the grace of God. For on the cross, Jesus showed us grace. A grace we cannot earn and certainly do not deserve.

Oh, the wonders of grace!