Graduation

This morning was a graduation celebration for 89 new graduates of Denver Seminary, for their friends and families. For the faculty, staff, or anyone even remotely associated with the school, this is a joyous occasion! Lots of hard work, for students and for instructors, culminating in many happy faces. A "mountain-top" experience, the students have successfully met all the challenges for three or four (or more) years of academic pursuit. It all boils down to this -- so, now where do we go from here?

President Mark Young delivered an inspirational address, especially since he well noted that "no one attends graduation ceremonies to hear a speaker...." He spoke from 2 Corinthians 5:13-15, suggesting that we all must be "out of our minds" for Jesus. It is the love of God that compels us to serve others, in a world where one can make more money doing almost anything other than ministry. It is not our selfish motives or the love of self that drives us to serve -- it is only the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that compels us to ministry.

Dr. Young urged new graduates not to look for a "job," a "profession," but follow a "passion." His words were well-spoken. If we have, indeed, equipped these students well, they will make the Christian church more effective and the entire world a better place. Dr. Young thinks globally, and it is time we all took 2 Cor. 14-15 more seriously, compelled to serve others by the love of Christ for me -- and you!
May God bless all the new graduates, and may we all learn to live for him and not for ourselves (v. 15)!