Graduation Speech Part I--pretend you're a senior in high school.
This is a time in the year when we tend to focus on the past--what has got us to where we are today. But I want to talk to you this afternoon about your future. There is a dynamic truth about our future that we don't focus on as often as we should. It's a truth that if we really embraced it, contemplated it, it would change our lives. I have an appointment. I don't know when. I don't where I'll be when the time comes to meet. When I reflect on it, there is a certain fear and trembling--not dread, but a reverential fear and trembling. More on that later. And whether you are 18, 35, 50, 73--focusing on the appointment is essential. It changes everything. You can't escape it. The appointment ?--I don't know if I can speak it without weeping: one day I will meet my Savior face-to-face. I will see Him. God plan is that this appointment be the most marvelous, joy-filled moment in my eternal existence.
And there are four truths that if I embrace them will make it such a moment. The first is being sure of my calling. And every child of God has the same calling--to be an image bearer of Christ wherever He sends you. I am not a teacher who happens to be a Christian. No, even in a Christian school, I am called to be a Christian who happens to be a teacher, not a teacher who happens to be a Christian. You are not called to be a businessman who happens to be a Christian, a doctor who happens to be a Christian, a nurse, lawyer, farmer, mechanic or any other vocation but to be a Christian who happens to be one of those things. You are called to a Christian--a little Christ wherever He places you. Why? Because Christ desires to be in each of those places--the classroom, the doctor's office, the hospital room, the business office, the lawyer's office. And how does He make His presence known in each of those locations--through you. You are called to be Christ-in-the-room wherever He sends you. And each decision that you make in those professions must reflect Christ in all things. One of my favorite choruses should daily be my prayer and yours: "Oh, to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer; O to be like Thee, pure as Thou art. Come in Thy fullness, come in Thy sweetness, stamp Thine own image, deep on my heart." To be ready for the appointment, you must embrace your calling--to be the image bearer of the Son of God wherever He sends you.
And there are four truths that if I embrace them will make it such a moment. The first is being sure of my calling. And every child of God has the same calling--to be an image bearer of Christ wherever He sends you. I am not a teacher who happens to be a Christian. No, even in a Christian school, I am called to be a Christian who happens to be a teacher, not a teacher who happens to be a Christian. You are not called to be a businessman who happens to be a Christian, a doctor who happens to be a Christian, a nurse, lawyer, farmer, mechanic or any other vocation but to be a Christian who happens to be one of those things. You are called to a Christian--a little Christ wherever He places you. Why? Because Christ desires to be in each of those places--the classroom, the doctor's office, the hospital room, the business office, the lawyer's office. And how does He make His presence known in each of those locations--through you. You are called to be Christ-in-the-room wherever He sends you. And each decision that you make in those professions must reflect Christ in all things. One of my favorite choruses should daily be my prayer and yours: "Oh, to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer; O to be like Thee, pure as Thou art. Come in Thy fullness, come in Thy sweetness, stamp Thine own image, deep on my heart." To be ready for the appointment, you must embrace your calling--to be the image bearer of the Son of God wherever He sends you.
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