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May 16, 2007
Move On With God
Graduation is a time for moving on. It’s almost a rite of passage, at least from high school to full time employment or on to college. The graduation ceremony, though a formality to recognize the accomplishment of graduates, can sometimes be a defining moment. Cap and gown signify a transition from past to future. One graduate standing in line behind me at a seminary graduation years ago, said, “I can’t figure out how I got to this point. I can’t remember anything I’ve learned. It scary thinking about the next phase of my life!”
Last Sunday we examined the 2 Timothy 1:1-7 passage from the standpoint of what a tremendous influence mothers, parents, and guardians are in the raising of their children. However, in a sense, that same passage could be viewed as a kind of graduation challenge to Timothy. Paul challenges the young Christian servant with these words: “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” Is Paul not encouraging Timothy to move on with God, to develop his ministry gifts for service, and to move on with faith and the confidence that God is with him.
This is moving on time for graduates. May all whose accomplishments we recognize this Sunday not only bask in the glow of a job well done, but see the transition to the future as a challenge to move on with God in desiring a deeper relationship with Jesus and developing their spiritual gifts, talents and abilities for service to the Him. Wise Solomon counsels, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come. . .” (Eccl. 12:1).
I graduated from high school with forty eight other students in our small upstate town in New York. Six of us, attending the same church, were recognized that Sunday in the worship service and given a small plaque with an inscription that has encouraged and challenged me since that day. The writing by M. L. Haskins is an exhortation to move on with God and to trust Him with the future, whatever it may hold. “I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, give me a light that I might tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
Please join us this Sunday to celebrate with our graduates as we recognize their achievement and encourage them to move on with God.
Pastor Partelow
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at May 16, 2007 02:20 PM