Today, my oldest nephew graduated from high school in a quiet family ceremony at his school. I had the privilege of seeing him in his graduation regalia before the ceremony, and I couldn’t have been much prouder.
Jack graduating in a tough time. He’s moving into a tumultuous world. But I believe in his faith and in his ability to make a positive difference in this world. So I thought I’d write him a poem that combines advice, hopes, dreams, and reality.
This is my poem for Jack…but may it be a poem that speaks to you as well.
Just ask when you need help
And don’t forget to
Call when there is something you need to
Know you are loved
Always
Be willing to fight for justice
Right the wrongs of polarized society
And respect the diversity around You
Make a unifying
Difference In this world
Each person has a voice
And your voice matters
To me You are the bright hope
Of Tomorrow
Never forget to live in faith for today
Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Monday, June 3, 2013
A Graduation Sermon I Can Actually Remember
Yesterday was graduation Sunday at church. The graduates marched in, were celebrated, worshipped, and marched out. The sermon for the day was also addressed to them.
Our pastor has been out for the past two Sundays because of a car accident that injured his wife, so he asked my dad if he’d fill in for him yesterday. Being the preacher that he is—down to his bones—my dad agreed.
He explained to me his message on Saturday as we rode to my nephew’s soccer game, but I didn’t quite get it until he stood up to preach yesterday.
His message was simple yet wise.
One Truth: There is one God and we know that God through Jesus Christ.
Two Questions:
• What, in heaven’s name, is going on down here?
• What in the hell is going on around here?
Three Words of Advice:
• Be truthful.
• Be trustworthy.
• Inasmuch as possible, live debt-free.
Point One explains itself. In a world where we are surrounded by so many gods, there is but one God, and we know that God most fully through Jesus Christ. We can never fully understand God, but we can love the God who is love through the love of Christ.
Point Two was borrowed from this year’s Campbell University Divinity School graduation. God is at work around us but so is evil. Where there are glimpses of heaven—the presence of God and everything good—there are also glimpses of hell—the absence of God and anything redeeming. In the words of Mad-Eye Moody from Harry Potter, we must exercise constant vigilance and be mindful of both heaven and hell around us. [No. My dad didn’t mention Mad-Eye Moody in his sermon, but he did watch the second Harry Potter with my nephews and me on Saturday night!]
Point Three may seem somewhat random—especially the third word of advice—but it comes from where dad felt God leading. Honesty is important in a world of lies. Trustworthiness is key to healthy relationships. And living debt-free is essential to being free to serve as God calls. Are living truthfully, trustworthily, and debt-free difficult? Absolutely. None of those issues are always black and white. Knowing when to share hard news, knowing when to ask for help, knowing when to take a financial risk…all of those things get tricky. But inasmuch as possible, with the guidance of God’s spirit, truthfulness, trustworthiness, and debt-free living (which includes tithes and offerings) are key to living as whole individuals in Christ.
I heard a valedictory address this year that I also remember. The main point was to live in the present rather than getting caught in the past and future. What a beautiful challenge—to accept that life is in the every-day journey and to make the most of what we have now instead of focusing on what is to come and final destinations.
And I heard this sermon yesterday that I’ll likely not forget, and it’s not just because my dad preached it: one point, two questions, three words of advice.
What graduation messages have you heard recently? And what messages stick out to you?
Our pastor has been out for the past two Sundays because of a car accident that injured his wife, so he asked my dad if he’d fill in for him yesterday. Being the preacher that he is—down to his bones—my dad agreed.
He explained to me his message on Saturday as we rode to my nephew’s soccer game, but I didn’t quite get it until he stood up to preach yesterday.
His message was simple yet wise.
One Truth: There is one God and we know that God through Jesus Christ.
Two Questions:
• What, in heaven’s name, is going on down here?
• What in the hell is going on around here?
Three Words of Advice:
• Be truthful.
• Be trustworthy.
• Inasmuch as possible, live debt-free.
Point One explains itself. In a world where we are surrounded by so many gods, there is but one God, and we know that God most fully through Jesus Christ. We can never fully understand God, but we can love the God who is love through the love of Christ.
Point Two was borrowed from this year’s Campbell University Divinity School graduation. God is at work around us but so is evil. Where there are glimpses of heaven—the presence of God and everything good—there are also glimpses of hell—the absence of God and anything redeeming. In the words of Mad-Eye Moody from Harry Potter, we must exercise constant vigilance and be mindful of both heaven and hell around us. [No. My dad didn’t mention Mad-Eye Moody in his sermon, but he did watch the second Harry Potter with my nephews and me on Saturday night!]
Point Three may seem somewhat random—especially the third word of advice—but it comes from where dad felt God leading. Honesty is important in a world of lies. Trustworthiness is key to healthy relationships. And living debt-free is essential to being free to serve as God calls. Are living truthfully, trustworthily, and debt-free difficult? Absolutely. None of those issues are always black and white. Knowing when to share hard news, knowing when to ask for help, knowing when to take a financial risk…all of those things get tricky. But inasmuch as possible, with the guidance of God’s spirit, truthfulness, trustworthiness, and debt-free living (which includes tithes and offerings) are key to living as whole individuals in Christ.
I heard a valedictory address this year that I also remember. The main point was to live in the present rather than getting caught in the past and future. What a beautiful challenge—to accept that life is in the every-day journey and to make the most of what we have now instead of focusing on what is to come and final destinations.
And I heard this sermon yesterday that I’ll likely not forget, and it’s not just because my dad preached it: one point, two questions, three words of advice.
What graduation messages have you heard recently? And what messages stick out to you?
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