At this time of the year, I enjoy watching on television a variety of excerpts from commencement addresses at colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Don KirklandI usually find myself imagining what I would say if invited to speak at some school’s commencement program. Of course, I have almost no recollection of anything said at my own graduations from high school, college or seminary, and I would expect the same outcome if I said anything to a senior class.
I know of one fine university with the highest of academic standards at which the commencement speaker stuck out his tongue at the senior class. He told them, “I know you won’t remember anything I say today, but you’ll never forget that your commencement speaker stuck his tongue out at you.”
This and other thoughts went through my mind as I read news of commencement at our three Baptist universities – Anderson, Charleston Southern and North Greenville.
No, as far as I know, nobody stuck out his tongue at any of the class of 2010, which numbered 865 (255 at Anderson, 340 at Charleston Southern and 270 at North Greenville). Anderson and North Greenville had their largest-ever graduating classes.
And yes, I did try to imagine what I would have said to the seniors at these universities, which bring honor to the name of Christ and justifiable pride to South Carolina Baptists.
First, I would have challenged the graduates to be encouragers. The apostle Paul, while in prison, wrote a brief letter to a man named Philemon, whom Paul had led to Christ probably while the great apostle was in Ephesus. At the time Paul wrote his letter, Philemon hosted one of the house-churches in Colossae.
Paul has high praise for Philemon. One reason is this: “The hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.” As “The Message” puts it, the love that Philemon has for Christ “brims over to other Christians” and “cheers the hearts of all of God’s people.”
Whatever your career paths, my young friends, you can be an encourager – cheering, refreshing the hearts of fellow Christians.
Second, I would implore you to be restorers. When the apostle Paul and Barnabas launched their first missionary journey, they took with them a young man named John Mark. The trio set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. Mark, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem. We are not told why. When Paul and Barnabas made plans for a second journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark. Paul said no because Mark had deserted them on the previous journey. Paul and Barnabas split over this. Later, though, when Paul’s life is nearing its end, he writes to Timothy about some things he needs in prison. And there is this: “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry.”
Mark had been restored. The broken relationship had been mended. Failure is common to all of us. And restoration should be, too.
Third, and last, I would ask you to be comforters. The book of Revelation speaks of a New Jerusalem signaling a time when God and his people not only will be together, but also will “wipe away all tears from their eyes” because “there will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain.”
That time has not yet arrived. Until then, we are in need of comfort, and we should be comforters to others.
It should not be difficult for the class of 2010 at our Baptist universities to remember three simple points: Be encouragers, be restorers, be comforters.
I offer to each of you my congratulations on your accomplishment and my prayer that God will show you the way you should go and be with you every step of the way.
And I know that you probably won’t remember a word of what I’ve said. That’s why I wrote it down for you.