10 Year Graduation Reflections

Today* was the 2011 TPA graduation ceremony. I attended with my brother, Joshua. Every time I have the opportunity to attend a TPA graduation I try to make a point to go. They are always inspiring, encouraging, and humbling to me. This year's ceremony was no exception. As a TPA homeschool graduate myself, every time I go they almost seem like class reunions to see old friends and catch up on each others' lives. So this was like my 10th high school reunion. :)

The keynote guest speaker was Wayne Simien Jr., an NBA basketball player turned full-time minister and Gospel proclaimer. I was so humbled and impressed by his wise words.

I had never heard someone with that sort of life experience and numerous athletic accolades to so clearly and boldly share the truth of the Gospel as a charge to home-school graduates. One thing that especially stood out to me was how Mr. Simien gave a bold charge to the graduates to be faithful and look for opportunities to tell those around them of the truth of the Gospel as three KU students had done for him while he was a student. They were faithful to keep proclaiming that message to him and showing him Christ's love and God used that to draw him to Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior of his life. What power! What boldness! What fear of God and lack of fear of man! Even a man who was great and worthy to be afraid of from a human standpoint.

As I listened to his wise, truthful words I found myself wondering silently, "Why don't I do that? Why don't I more boldly, fervently, actively, intentionally and purposefully share of Christ with others? What is holding me back?"

One other prevailing thought upon me was how long it has been since I graduated in a similar ceremony 10 years ago almost to the day. I began to take stock of my life since that day in May 2001 when I walked down the same aisle in my royal purple cap and gown to "Pomp and Circumstance." I had given a speech that day to the parents, students and guests gathered for the occasion. What did I say in that speech? Did it really matter? Was it worth saying? Where am I now? What have I done in 10 years? What have been the most important, valuable, and meaningful things that I am glad to have accomplished and what are the trivial, insignificant, wasted things I could have let go? Where will I be in 10 more years? How will I get there? What does God want for me in 10 years?

In some respects I felt like an "old fogey" compared to the 51 graduates who were 10 years my junior. But I could still have many years ahead of me, if the Lord wills, and what I do in those years as I look back on them to know have contributed to the most important things in life. Loving and serving God, loving others, the truth of the Gospel, and making a difference for time and eternity in people's lives.

Maybe each of us need to ask ourselves these sorts of questions more often. It is far too easy to get wrapped up in the trivial things of life and the day to day struggles. I know I have this tendency more than I care to admit.

This graduation ceremony was a reminder to me of where I have come from, how God has been with me all the way and how He continues to guide my steps, whether great or small, and lead me for His glory.

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ..." Philippians 3:7-8

*I wrote this entry originally on May 7, 2011 but am just now getting around to sharing it. :)