Graduation 2010

It was super-hot in the gym and I know that most people wanted me to make it short.  So I tried to make it funny and give the graduates one main thing that they can remember.  In terms of what people came to see, I was last on the list.  So here it is:

My daughter just finished 1st grade.  She is all of 7 years old.  I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up. She told me that she wants to be a teacher or a doctor.

My son is 5 years old and just finished preschool.  He will be in kindergarten next year at this fine institution.  He has not narrowed it down quite yet.  He wants to be a cowboy, pirate, policeman, sword fighter, army guy, or superhero.  With the exception of pirate, I would be proud of him doing any of those things.

You probably have nieces, nephews, and cousins that are similar to my kids.  Every little kid wants to be something cool right?  That all want to do something that we think is pretty awesome.

In Matthew 13:44-46 , Jesus tells a story about a man who discovers a treasure hidden in a field.  He sells everything that he has in order to buy that field so that he can have that treasure.  He then tells a story of a man who bought pearls.  One day he found someone selling a pearl worth way more than they were charging.  They had no idea how rare the pearl was.  The man sold everything that he had in order to buy that pearl.

What will you do with what you have been given?

You are so valuable.  You life is worth so much.  All of us here today are so happy for you and we are thinking back to what life was like when we were in your shoes.  Back when it snowed every day and we had to walk up hill both ways to school.

What will you do with what you have been given?

There are a lot of people in this room who are very proud of you.  In your short time on earth you have accomplished something great.  You have graduated from high school.  You have finished the job.  You have completed the race.  Good job.  We are very proud of you.

What will you do with what you have been given?

Where will you be in 5 years?  Will you have a family?  Will you be working full time?  Will you have written a book, or composed a song?  Will you have graduated college?  Where will you be in 5 years?

Where will you be in 20 years?  Will you be here watching your child graduate high school?  Will you be living in another country?  Will you have a good marriage?  Will you own your own business?  Will you be famous?

What will you do with what you have been given?

You have accomplished something great.  You have graduated high school.  Most of you are smarter than about 95% of people who have lived since the creation of the world.  But you are just beginning the journey of your life.  Will you hold on to the little bit that you have or will you cash it all in on something much better?  In this life you will always have the option of going for your dreams or living safe and comfortable.

No little kid wants to live a life that is safe and comfortable.  They want a life that is exciting and full of adventure.  Don’t let this life pass you by.  Use the life that you have and go after your dreams.  Where you see impossibilities and obstacles, God sees opportunities to shape us and give us life.  When the time comes to cash in all that you have to get something even better - go for it.