The Greatest Graduation

It’s graduation season. Soon we’ll see limousines cruising the streets, and kids dressed in suits and gowns getting their pictures taken in the park. In addition to high school ceremonies, elementary and middle schools are graduating kids into the next levels of education. I even have a grandson who “graduated” from kindergarten!

Expenses for current high school graduations can run in the thousands. For many people it has become a status statement. But despite the excesses, it’s a way for families to celebrate the work their children have achieved, and a vote of confidence in their ability to handle the next challenges of life. The strange thing about graduations is that they are soon forgotten. The hoopla of ceremonies soon changes to the tedium of going to work every day. Graduation will become just a nice memory.

But even if you’ve punched the clock at work for decades, Christians have another graduation to look forward to. Paul spoke of it in 2 Tim.4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” This graduation will not look ahead to greater challenges; it’s the final reward for a faithful life. There will be no competition over what you wear, no big bills for limos or jewelry, and no valedictorian to steal the show. And best of all, no letdown when it’s over. It’ll be pure joy forever.

Live life so that you will be there “on that day.” You don’t want to miss it.

– Tim Johnson