The Greatest Graduation Gift
Today was a day of reflection for me. I was looking back on some 40 or more graduations I presided over during my time as president of Point University. As I reflect on the thousands of students who graduated during my tenure, I am aware that those of us who work in higher education can fall into the trap of going through the motions of the ceremony, but it is a really big deal and a very big day for the graduate and their families. The roll call of graduates includes many first generation college graduates. What a proud moment for parents, grandparents, and other family members as they watch their whole family tree transform with this moment of accomplishment. There are always some who barely made it and others who have some of the finest minds the professors have ever taught. And every one of those graduates has a story.
Many times over the years I felt tears well up listening to the brokenness and life circumstances of many of our students, and often I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to have played some small role in their journey. But as I reflect on all these commencements this morning, I thought about what we provided to the graduates. Of course, the obvious — an education that I believe better prepared them for a life and a path to a job and career. And when they graduated, it placed them in the top third of the U.S. population who have earned a college degree. But the thing that struck me this morning was what we provided for them that is better than a college degree.
Everyone who walked across the stage at each commencement had been exposed to the life changing power of the gospel. God allowed us to plant seeds of faith that for some have not fully bloomed and for others grew strong right in front of our eyes. Let me remind you what Paul says about this transformation:
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved son.”
Long before each graduation, we received an application, reviewed it, accepted a student, provided an education, and at graduation, awarded a degree. And in the process, we likely transferred some credits from previous work and provided a way for a student to earn enough credits to graduate. But we also introduced these students to a Savior who made a bigger transfer of credit. He canceled their debt of sin and transferred them from darkness to a Kingdom of light.
I pray I never forget what happens at a Christ-centered university. What we do matters in this world and for eternity.
Your Time with God’s Word
Colossians 1:13-15, 17-23, 28-29, 2:9-10, 13-15 ESV
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