Graduation Day

The words still ring in my ears even today. It was 30 years ago when I graduated from college that my Dad congratulated me with a "so what, now what are you going to do?" I had no immediate answer for my six years of hard work to acheive a title and piece of paper. I was left empty desperately looking for another goal to acheive. This past weekend I hit another milestone - I graduated again, this time with my Doctor of Ministry. When I arrived home from Portland last night the same words were ringing in my head - "so what, now what are you going to do?" The temptation is to find it all empty and meaningless as a diversional goal that I achieved for meaning and purpose. That's the temptation. The reality is that this was not just a degree but a life changing experience that has prepared me for what He has in store for me in life. I do not know yet what that is. But I do know that what I have completed is not the end of a school journey but the introductory chapter to the rest of the book. The book has not been completed and I am now living its chapters. Graduation Day at George Fox has only opened the exciting possibilities of pages yet to be filled until the ultimate Graduation Day at the end of my life. So now what am I going to do? I'm going to enjoy every sentence of every chapter of every day. Now is the time to enjoy being me with God!