Graduations and weddings are very much alike. There is a long period of planning and preparation and organization, and then the event is finished and done in a whirl of activity. The speaker at the event may seem to be long-winded, and the presentation of the diplomas may go on for an excessive amout of time, but when it is over, there is a sigh of relief.
Ruth Lynn and I have a long time family story about such an event. The truth is that I laugh at her a lot because she doesn't really remember her gradution from North Texas State. We were to be married about four weeks later, and most of her thoughts and planning were on that wedding. The graduation was just a necessary step in the process.
We attended the graduation fo our grand daughter, Lynnlee Hedstrom, from Texas Tech this past weekend. Lynnlee will soon begin a new job as a Registered Nurse at University Hospital in Lubbock. We, like many grand parents, are very proud of her and her accomlishments.
The Nursing school at Texas Tech is named for the Governor's wife. She gave the Commencement address, and said some very encouraging words to the 500+ graduates of PHDs, MDs, BS, Masters Degrees, etc. She made the usual comments with thanks to the families. She told the group that they were entering the medical community at a very important time in the life of America. It was encouraging.
The Chancellor and the President also spoke. They made a lot of self congragulatory statements. They told of the world that awaited the graduates. The program lasted for about 2 1/2 hours. We were all ready to charge out of the basketball stadium to go and conquer the world.
There was only one thing missing.
There was not one mention to the graduates of the existence of something bigger than themseves. There was no word of faith. There was no mention of God and his leadership.
How sad.
The number one thing that this group needed to hear was never even mentioned. Every speaker steered away from using the word God . . or higher power . . or faith . . etc. etc. Our lives are so compartmentalized, and I don't imagine many of the graduates even noticed this omission. After all, this talk of God's leadership in our lives is just a church thing. It's secondary. It really doesn't count for much in the reality of life.
To Lynnlee . . and all of you other graduates. Let me offer some advice from my years of experience. The most important thing in your life is your relationship and confidence in God. Don't jump into your new job and put God on the back shelf. Begin now to trust Him for leadership. You may now know exactly how, but as you begin the process, you'll learn.
God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
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