“Your grade will be 50% examinations, 30% homework, and 20% class participation.”

Wait! What? 

I have never been in a class that graded my participation. I was relatively shy in high school, unlike how I presently am. I was surprised to learn the grading criteria from the teacher since this was a world history class. How does one participate? Whatever hesitation I had, it did not bother one of my classmates. He loved to talk but he often just loved to hear himself talk. Most of his observations did not add anything to the discussions and were usually distractions. Did the teacher acknowledge this or give him credit because he spoke, regardless of the content?

I did make timid attempts to speak up when I thought I had something to contribute but it was not enough. On more than one occasion, when I raised my hand and the teacher called upon me, he addressed me by the wrong name. He didn’t know me! How would I get the credit?

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. 

Proverbs 17:27-28 (NLT)

Many years passed before I was confident enough to participate in class discussions and later in business meetings. Fortunately, God’s Word provided a template, and I now ponder everything I would discuss before speaking, attempting to be as precise and clear as possible. Perhaps I was thought a fool or unwise when I did not participate as actively as I should have in that high school class. With God’s wisdom, He helps me to choose my words wisely so that they edify and encourage others rather than simply making noise and drawing attention to myself. 

Praise God for His grace and mercy!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.