In Progress 

Teachers are always monitoring the progress of their students.  Assessments are used to determine if the students are learning the skills that have been taught and if they are making progress toward the requirements that must be met for promotion.

Recently we have been giving a new assessment to children.  The student’s scores can fall in several ranges of achievement.  They can show MASTERY, which would be coded, green. They can show that they are IN PROGRESS, which is coded yellow.  Students who are in danger of failing will be UNSATISFACTORY which would be coded red.

That term “in progress” has just stuck in my mind.  When a child is IN PROGRESS they are growing and moving toward the goal.  They are learning new skills and are meeting the targets that are set for them along the way.

I am IN PROGRESS.  Each day I seek to know the Lord better and to do His will in my life.  Some days I do better than others.  Some days I get stuck in the circumstances of my life and I do not allow the Lord to work as He would like.  For a student to make progress, there must be effort and engagement.  I believe that is true in our relationship with the Lord.  In order for me to continue to make progress, I must be actively engaged in studying and seeking to know the Lord and His plan for me.  I must spend time praying and listening to His directions in my life.

Students will sometimes get frustrated and give up.  They may begin to slip backwards and will move into that unsatisfactory range.  Satan loves us to get in the “red” zone of discouragement and despair.  We must make every effort to continue to grow in the wisdom of the Lord and to be in a right relationship with Him.  My desire is to always be IN PROGRESS in my walk with the Lord. 

Are you IN PROGRESS?  Are you working to make sure you stay out of the “red “ zone of danger?  Are you spending time each day with the Lord? 

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”

Colossians 3:1-2

“If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”