“What
to Take With You”
Psalm
119:97-105
2Timothy
(Graduation
Sunday)
Last week I directed my sermon to the
Confirmation class since it was Confirmation Sunday, and today I want to speak
to the graduates. But my hope and prayer
is that all of us will hear God’s voice in this message as well.
As you already know,
today we are celebrating Graduation Sunday and recognizing those who have
already graduated from high school and college.
For those graduating from high school, you have spent the last twelve
years of your life in school working toward this day. Twelve years is a long time to be in school,
and I’m sure all of you feel an enormous sense of relief and accomplishment
that this day is finally here for you.
You should be proud of yourself, as we are all proud of you.
For those of you who
have graduated from college, you have spent an even longer time in school to
earn your degree. You have put in many
hours of study, class time, and work to graduate with a degree in your field of
study, and I know how it feels to have all that behind you. I’m sure all you also feel an enormous sense
of relief and accomplishment. You too
should be proud of yourselves, as we are also proud of you.
Graduating from
high school and college is a big event for all of you, and if you are anything
like I was, your thoughts are on the future.
All of you know where you will be going and what you will be doing come
fall. You have already been accepted to
a college or university to begin earning your degree or another degree, or you
already have a job lined up.
The time between
graduation and starting college or another degree program or a new job can be
an awkward time for you. You have just
taken a big step in your journey of life moving from one moment in your journey
toward the start of another. While at
the same time that you feel a sense of relief and accomplishment for what you
have just gone through, there is also a sense of anticipation and excitement
and even anxiety about what is coming up.
This is a time of pause and transition for you as you reflect upon what
you have done and think about what you will be doing.
All of you have
taken a big step in your life and soon you will be heading out to new place, to
a new time, to write the next chapter in your journey of life. Very soon, everything will change for
you. Old routines and habits will be
exchanged for new routines and habits.
Very soon, you will be venturing out into a whole new way of being and
doing in the world.
All of you have
heard messages of some kind during your graduation ceremonies from people
offering their own reflections and advice for you as move from one point of
your life to another. Today, I want to
give you what I believe is important for you to remember, and what I believe is
important for you to take with you as you set out on the next leg of your
journey.
First, I want to
share with you some words of wisdom for you to remember.
1. Just
because you can do
something, doesn’t mean that you should.
Here are some examples for you to think about. Just because you can go out of the state,
doesn’t mean that you should. Just
because you can stay up all night, doesn’t mean that you should. Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t
mean that you should. You remember what
your parents said to you about everyone jumping off a bridge? Well, now it really applies.
2. Gum is not a good alternative to
brushing your teeth.
3. No Doze and Red
Bull Soda and coffee will not help you get an “A” on a test.
4. Be kind to your roommate. Remember you have to go to sleep sometime.
5. RA’s are your friends, not your
enemies.
6. Never let your toothbrush fall in
the dorm bathroom sink.
7. If you find yourself in a field with
a bunch of other pledges, don’t worry.
It will all be over soon. Just
chalk it up to one of life’s learning experiences.
Most
importantly, remember this…
8. Stand up for yourself. Don’t let anyone give you a hard time. You have worked hard to get where you are,
but you have not worked alone. God has
directed you to where you are going and to what you will be doing. Remember what you believe and stand firm in
the faith. Be challenged and be open,
but never compromise the principles you have learned and the convictions you
believe.
9. Don’t have the mind set that you are
blessed to be at your school, have the mind set that your school is blessed to
have you. Remember why you are there and
what you are called to do as Christ’s loving servants
and faithful witnesses. You can make a
difference, for you were called to make a difference.
10.
Study
hard, don’t drop classes unless absolutely necessary. A “W” is not a letter grade. Remember why you are there, because God has
more planned for you.
Next, I want to share with you what I believe is important for you
to take with you, things that you should make sure you pack for your
journey. I’ve brought these things in
this box for you visual learners out there.
1.
A bunch of coins, especially
quarters. They are for the washing
machine and dryer. Yes, you will have to
do your own laundry from time to time.
Do not “save” your clothes for your Mom to do them. Remember, you have a roommate. By the way, please remember to wash your
sheets and blankets at least once a month.
2.
A
can of Lysol room deodorizer – you’re going to have to trust me on this one.
3.
A
tool box with some basic tools like screw drivers, wrenches, a hammer,
etc. You never know when you might need
to fix something.
4.
In
your tool box, make sure you have duct tape and a can of WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn’t, use the duct
tape. If it doesn’t move and it should,
us the WD-40.
5.
Flip-flops. Always, always, always wear your flip flops
when you are not wearing your shoes, especially in a dorm. Remember, community showers. Do I need to say anymore?
6.
Toilet
paper.
7.
Tums
– cafeteria food.
8.
One,
two, three alarm clocks.
9.
For
safety, make sure you have a small flashlight with batteries in it that you can
carry in your backpack, pocket, or purse so you can see the locks on your cars
or door, especially after spending a late night out studying no doubt.
10.
Tennis
ball or some type of relatively soft ball or item that you can easily grab at
night and throw at your roommate if he or she is snoring.
11.
Romen noodles, mac and cheese, and microwave
popcorn. These are the stables of dorm
life.
Finally, the most important thing you should take with
you. This item you have had in your life
since you were very little. From it you
have learned much and will continue to learn much if you use it faithfully and
make it a part of your everyday routine.
This item does not belong to me alone, nor to
scholars alone, but to all people. From
its pages you will discover treasure upon treasure of insight, knowledge, and
wisdom, more than what you have learned and will learn,
if you allow it into your lives, if you allow the Spirit to speak to you
through it. If you are quiet and your
mind is at rest, and if you are ready to listen, through its words you will
hear God’s voice. What is this item that
you should take with you? It is the
Bible. God’s word to
and for God’s people.
It is the Bible that tells us the
story about God and us, about what God did for us, is doing for us, and will do
for us. It is the Bible which tells us
not only about the deliverance and redemption and salvation of God’s people,
but about our deliverance and redemption and salvation as well. It is the Bible which points us to that which
is greater than ourselves, to the one who is the way,
the truth, and the life, to that which is eternal.
As you are sent out into the world,
take the Bible with you. Too many Bibles
sit on shelves unopened and untouched.
The Bible is meant to be used and used over and over again. It is meant to be marked in and marked up,
dog-eared and worn. It is meant to be
studied and pondered over and prayed over and wrestled with. Make reading it a part of your daily
routine. Invite the people and the
stories into your life. Read it with joy
and imagination and a playful heart. The
very serious church father, Augustine, once said, “Scripture is God’s house,
and he wants us to play in it.” Let the
Bible tickle you and goad you. Let it
pull you and prod you. Let it make you
weep and then laugh while you are still drying your tears. Let it continue to be a part of who you
are.
In his book, The Christian Life: A Geography of God, Michael
Lindvall writes this about the Bible, “This book of
journey stories does not offer short answers to hard questions. Rather, it is the story of those who went
before and an invitation to follow them into the heart of the matter. The answers (that is too little a word) are
there, but mostly they come to be found along the Way. The Truth of scripture (the better word)
comes in the back and forth of lively conversation between my life and the
Bible I have packed for the journey.”
Graduates, during
this time of transition for you, take time to look back and remember all the
important moments you have experienced, and then reflect upon how God has been
with you along the way, how God has shaped and transformed you, and how God has
brought you to where we are today. And,
also during this time between now and when your next chapter in your life, take
time to look forward, and evaluate where we are going, and who will be going
with you. And as you pack and get ready
for the next chapter in your life, pack a Bible for the journey, let the word of God be for you the
lamp to your feet and the light to your path on your on-going journey of
faith. Let it continue to guide you to
the truth about God and God’s Son Jesus Christ.
Let the Bible be God’s ongoing revelation to you of the heart and
character and will of God’s very self.
You may not find all the answers in it
that you want, and it may leave you with more questions than when you first
started, but if you keep it as an integral part of spiritual growth in faith, I
promise you, you will discover more and more the riches of God’s grace and the
very heart and love and will of God for you.
Amen.