As children we have all heard the familiar phrase "your sins will find you out." Even though it was used to scare or convict us when we were little, it is most certainly true. I guess to thoroughly understand this phrase it is important to understand what sin really is. Although there are many attributes for this word, I do not believe that there is one definition that can encompass all of the entirety of its existence. I feel that the definition of sin, though broadly understood by individuals, convicts each of us differently, down to core of our behavior. The issue that has brought me to this topic is more complex and difficult to address in a blog post but I will try to do my best.
For the last two years I have had two educational goals in mind: graduating with a 4.0 GPA and achieving the award for the Honors Program. However, last semester both of these desires were greatly affected. Last semester I took a Spanish course in which I received my first, and only B. My Professor was an extremely difficult person to work with and she often appeared to gear her beginning course towards the native speakers. After my final grade came through I realized that one of my goals was no longer in reach. Therefore, I took the honors credit 'assignment' all the more seriously. See in the Mountain View graduation, Honors students walk in line first, followed by the 4.0 students, etc. Therefore, I knew that if I didn't complete the honors scholar program that I wouldn't be near the front of the line.
Last semester though, I took a Biology course up at Mountain View Community College. I loved it and did very well in it! Early on in the semester, I asked my Professor if she was willing to give honors in her course. She said she was and so we agreed that I would volunteer for 15 honors through the Service Learning Program to meet this requirement. After I was finished I came back to her, roughly three weeks before the semester was over to inform her I was through and she explained to me that she had changed her mind. She would no longer accept my volunteer hours for honors credit. However, if I was still interested I could write a 10 page paper instead. I was extremely disappointed because I did not have enough time to complete her counter proposal.
However, several weeks later when I looked at my online transcript I had been given honors in her course. I knew this must have been a mistake because as I previously stated I has not completed the second assignment. I debated what to do for quite a while. Deep inside I hoped that my Professor had changed her mind and had given me honors anyway; but I knew this wasn't true.
Last week I decided to call the head of the Honors department and ask his advice on this issue. After explaining the situation to the Dean of the program I felt confident that he would speak to my professor of my behalf. A few days later my hopes were shattered. I received an email from my Biology professor. She stated that the Head of the Honors Program had spoken with her and explained that I didn't feel I had earned the credit and that I had requested its removal. I was quite shocked! This was not what I had explained to the dean and was certainly not what I desired.
I honestly didn't know what to do. I gave it thought over the weekend and sought the counsel of family and friends. All of them encouraged me to continue pursing the acknowledgement and approval of the credit. Therefore, this morning I sent a lengthy email to the head of the Honors Program to explain the obvious misunderstanding. He email me back several hours later apologizing for the miscommunication, but he stated that he would and could do nothing more to mend the issue. He said that if I was still interested in keeping the credit I will need to address my Professor directly. I am not sure if I will though, mostly likely she will remain steadfast to her previous decision and remove the credit as she stated.
If I had chosen though, to keep the credit, in secret, without bringing the
mistake to my Professor's knowledge, I would have had to live with that
guilt for the rest of my life. By deceiving my Professor, and 'stealing' the credit, even though deserved, would have been sinning. I have realized though, with the aid of my parents and grandparents that although I deserve honors in Biology, my honesty and integrity is far more important. God will honor me because of my behavior and he will ultimately reward my actions.
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