The Benediction

Today marked the end of my undergraduate career. I finally graduated with my degree in Pastoral Ministry. As the ceremonies commenced and we sat an enjoyed the speeches and festivities that are included in such a wonderful event, we concluded both the commissioning service and commencement service with the college benediction.

Psalms 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord, My strength and my redeemer.”

This verse had been said at the end of every chapel service, every meeting among the student body, every time we did some amazing celebration and finally at the end of our long journeys. I thought long and hard on this verse when it was first presented and my initial reaction was that we were trying to remember that on a Christian campus we need to be careful of what we say and do. Maybe it was just some propaganda to instill the community covenant into us so that we would not break the rules. Now that I have made it to the other end of this journey and about to embark on many more, I realize that the meaning of this verse was so much more.

In a world where everyone is turning to sources of fulfillment other than through the creator, we are to be the ones who remain acceptable in the eyes of God. This is not through our own doing but through the strength and redemption offered  by God. In other words, we are to show that we are different due to the existence of Christ in our lives. This was the calling of the university, for us to be a help in a time of need. We are to not just be great academics, we are to grow in Christ and show the love of God to a community that desperately needs it.

I think that a major issue with a majority of Christian universities is the aspect of a Christian bubble. We are in a safe place where no one will challenge our faith. We find a place of solace and then become fat and lazy in the faith that we not longer pursue a the calling of Christ for us to go out and proclaim the Gospel.

I am truly blessed as are many Christian Scholars from great universities who made a point to challenge their students to go out. I was required to do community service in order to graduate. Some find this ridiculous, however I found this to be a place of calling. I volunteered with groups that were trying to make other people’s situations better and change lives. I was not allowed to grow fat in class with no one challenging my faith. I was a Baptist at a Church of God school. I was constantly challenged to be better and know my faith inside and out for I had to defend it. It is because of the professors and students that I encountered that my love for apologetics grew. I am more prepared now for my life simply because the university that I attended prayed with us that the words of our mouths and the meditation of our heart would be acceptable in the eyes of God.

I sit here, 6  years after the start of my college career, knowing that I am called to make a difference. It doesn’t have to be a huge difference in the eyes of the world. I just am called to make a difference.