Graduation

May 23, 2004

Category: Observations

Yesterday, my sister-in-law graduated from Calvin College along with 900 other graduates. Last weekend, my brother graduated from Princeton Seminary.

Sitting through graduation ceremonies is long and sometimes boring. But when it’s for your brother or sister, it’s much more bearable, and even intersting. In fact, during the ceremonies, I found myself reflecting on life in ways I don’t normally take the time to do. Perhaps being in an unusual setting, concentrating on the graduation, or perpetuity of a person makes you stop and think about your own life.

Do we “graduate” through stages of life? Do we reach points in life where we have been through trial, grown, and are ready to move on to the next phase of life?

I woke up searching in my head for these lyrics this morning.

I want to run, I want to hide, I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside, I want to reach out, and touch the flame, Where the streets have no name.
I want to feel sunlight on my face,
I see the dust cloud dissapear without a trace,
I want to take shelter from the poison rain,
Where the streets have no name.

by U2

At this point, I’m ready to move on.

Posted by pablohart on May 23, 2004 10:03 AM

Comments

if there was a ceremony for you today, what you be graduating from; and, what would you be entering into? who would be the commencement speaker? would there be other classmates with you? and, what credentials would you now have?

Posted by nathan at May 24, 2004 2:05 PM

Quit your job dude. it feels so good.

Posted by Aaron B. Smith at May 24, 2004 5:07 PM

nathan, i'm not sure what i'm graduating from, or where i'm going to. that's the problem. i have these feelings of needing to move on--NEEDING SPACE--but i don't know where to find the exit.

the other classmates would be my family, by virtue of the fact that we are one. as for a speaker, well, that's probably taking the analogy too far. credentials? that's the funny thing about life, you can't necessarily pinpoint WHAT you've learned, you just know you have because when you get to the next fork in the road, you take the alternative route, or at least know why you're taking the road you are already on.

Posted by pablohart at May 25, 2004 9:39 AM

aaron, i know. sometimes i want to just do that. i want to quit my job or my positions at church. but something in me says that's not totally the answer either. mostly, i think if i was to quit, i'd simply be quitting for quitting's sake. i wouldn't be doing it because i was GOING somewhere. my problem is that i need to feel right about where i'm going. that it's a natural and supernatural magnet pulling me--and i know it's right.

the other day i was IM'ing with a friend who said sometimes when he's in these situations, he trys to decipher if he isn't doing something because he's COMPELLED to do it vs. doing it because he's CALLED to. i think i have to examine my own motives right now and make tough decisions to cut things.

Posted by pablohart at May 25, 2004 9:43 AM

funny, my brother pointed me to this article. i think it makes the same point i was making, but just says it differently.

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From The Pulpit: We don't graduate from Christian learning

Graduation ceremonies have been taking place this time of year at the many schools in our area. Graduates walk across a stage in cap and gown. They receive their diploma. Students are excited to have finished another year and to have no more classes and learning for a while. For some graduation means no more school - ever.

Sometimes we can approach Christian learning in the same way. We think we graduated from studying God's Word. "I took youth instruction classes years ago. I attended the new-member course. I even tried Bible class once, but it's just not for me. And after all, how much do you really need to know to be a Christian?" Maybe we even stop going to church because we feel there is nothing more to get out of it.

The reality is that God wants us to continually grow in our knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith throughout our life. God says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16). You should "grow up in your salvation" (1 Peter 2:2). You should follow the example of those who "examined the Scriptures every day" (Acts 17:11). God wants us to seek out the truth and apply it to our lives. And that applies to everyone, including pastors.

The way we do that is with the Bible. The Bible is truth. The Bible has answers for our everyday problems. The Bible lets us know how we stand with God and how to make sure we will go to heaven. It comforts us with the good news that our past failures are forgiven through Jesus. It comforts us as we face the problems and struggles of life. It answers the questions of what life is really all about. It builds and strengthens our faith.

We don't graduate from Christian learning. God wants us to have a lifetime of growing in our knowledge and understanding of the Bible. What are you doing to make that happen?

Paul Learman is pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Freeport.

He may be contacted via e-mail at oursavior@aeroinc.net.

Posted by pablohart at June 3, 2004 5:19 PM

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