Graduation Reflection

Tomorrow I will walk across the stage and receive my diploma God willing. As I look back on the last five years of college I can find a few things that I have learned; Life lessons if you will. Five years ago I was a fearful new college student only taking two classes at a local junior college, so much has changed since then. I have taken courses on a variety of subjects, lectured by a variety of professors, and met a variety of friends within the university walls. These five years have been cherished and I have enjoyed being a student. These professors have changed my perspective, the subjects have challenged my knowledge, and the friends have helped me grow. Somehow God has used these past five years to mold and shape me. I have analyzed literature and the Bible has analyzed me. I still stop cold when reading the Word unable to comprehend the all encompassing grace of Christ. In all my education, with whatever knowledge I have gained, I still find myself mesmerized and I cannot seem to comprehend the absolute love of Christ and the work of God throughout time.

Five years. . . Many lessons . . . Here are a few. . .

1. God is the greatest teacher, the Bible is the greatest challenge.
2. Coffee is not optional it is required.
3. Literature can take you to new worlds.
4. Professors can talk really fast so get ready to write quickly.
5. Your own handwriting can be your worst enemy.
6. Your brain expanding is a painful process.
7. Discussion is powerful.
8. Walking takes on a whole new meaning.
9. The walls of your mind and your heart can grow.
10. You can never know everything, you must try to learn something.
11. The greatest task in college is not finding out who you are, it is standing up for who you are.
12. Friends challenge you and in the process change you.
13. Education is a right, it is a gift.
14. The greatest triumph is change.
15. Perspectives may be different, but truth is absolute.
16. Once a student, always a student.
17. Each moment is a treasure so store it up, and let the rest of the stuff you have accumulated go.
18. Laugh :)
19. Leaving college is much the same as when you started, you are still learning, still growing, still trying to understand.
20. Move forward and take each step as a footprint in the sand, you see there is always a need to be carried. Do not engrave your name in stone or revere yourself so highly, because deep down we are all the potter's clay. Your only self worth comes from His work in your life. His legacy shining through you.

So here's to many more lessons in life, many more professors (perhaps not those working in a college), and many more friends. It has been a great journey, but I must say that it has only just begun. . .