YOU NEVER REALLY GRADUATE
I couldn't believe it! As I parked our car on the road hundreds of yards from the High School parking lot, I began to realize how truly BIG graduation is in the St. George area.
I was told that graduation from Fundy High is an important event in the life of our community, but my imagination wasn't vivid enough to suppose just how IMPORTANT, important it really is! For the last few weeks, it seems, graduation has loomed on the horizon like some kind of "Golden Arch" of hope and accomplishment. Every step we've taken as a community has been toward this "Mother of all Days". Step one was the Mother and Daughter Banquet (not a dry eye in the place). Step two, the Potluck dinner in honour of the graduates from our congregation (way to go Greg and Pamela!!!!!!!!!). Step three brought us to the Baccalaureate services at Fundy High, with yours truly delivering the sermon.
Then it finally came, this past Saturday morning --GrrrradddUAtion!!! Amongst a sea of sweat and waving programs, one hundred and eight grade 12 students arrayed in their blue cap and gowns, were recognized for their impressive achievements (and impressive they were).
What does graduation feel like? Do you remember? Fear, relief, sadness, hope, apprehension, and exhilaration, all rolled up in a piece of parchment and the flip of a tassel. One hundred and eight people from our area now stand on the other side of a path they began over twelve years ago. Wow! I guess it is a big deal after all!
Graduation is one of those "snap shot" moments that captures life in all of it's transient glory. Actually, it's perhaps THE snap shot of all snap shot moments because it signals to us more than a driver's licence, part-time job, or anything else, that a child has now become an adult.
"You're an adult now!" "It's time you started planning for the future." "Stand on your own two feet!" "It's your responsibility." "What are you going to do with the rest of your life?" Ouch!!! At first glance, the new-found freedom of being a card carrying member of the adult population is exciting. But, soon we begin to see that the freedom we thought we would have as an adult isn't quite as free as we thought. With freedom comes responsibilities and difficult decisions. And, mark my words, in the not too distant future, that childhood you've been running away from all these years will be fondly remembered and cherished as the time you really were free.
But, all is not lost if you can remember one thing -- no matter how old you get, no matter how cluttered and burdened your life may seem, you will always be a child of God. God's Word tells us that if you're in Christ, you're adopted into the family of God (Eph 1:5), and God expects you to always act as His child! In other words, you will never graduate from living under His authority and care. He will always be there to come to for guidance, for encouragement, for strength, for wisdom, and for help. He wants more than anything else for you to realize that you still need Him, that you will always need Him, as your Dad on whom to depend.
In fact, if you don't realize that, you're in big trouble! Jesus says in Matthew 18:3 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
So there you have it. For all those who have just graduated, or will in the next weeks all around this world of ours, you have just passed a milestone that marks your entrance into adulthood proper, but don't think you will ever graduate from being a child of God. It just doesn't happen!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your tender care that lasts an eternity! Thank You that we never grow past the point of feeling Your loving care. Thank You that You have made life a place of continued dependence upon You. Thank You that we are Your dearly loved children! Help us to love You, listen to You and depend upon You as we should! In Jesus name, Amen!
