Wednesday, May 22, 2002
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Wednesday, May 22, 2002 |
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Two words for graduates: Be bold! By JOHN HATCHER "Let no one look down upon your youthfulness" was the counsel that one spiritual sage gave to a younger follower of Jesus Christ. He added, "... but speech, conduct, love, faith, purity, show yourself an example of those who believe" (1 Timothy 4:12). That's as good advice as any I could give the graduating seniors of 2002. We do a disservice to many of our children by selling them the notion that until their youthfulness is totally educated and they are older and drier, they can't be of much use to society. Early Christianity survived essentially because of virile youth. Peter, James, and John were young men, perhaps in their late teens, when they began to take the Gospel to the ends of the world. For the bright ones who want more schooling, we quarantine them within entities called colleges and universities where professors will listen patiently to their wild ideas and eventually dismiss them as too bold, too far-sighted, too unconventional, or too crazy. Therefore, if perchance this column might get into the hands of one of those subversives, let me say this to them: "Be bold!" You can be bold and courteous at the same time. But, for heaven's sake, be bold about your dreams, convictions, and priorities. Don't let some middle-income, happy in-his-lazy- boy man tell you to stop dreaming. Don't let some jerk freshman entice you with some dirty drugs. Just say, "Heavens no." Don't let someone suggest your priorities of God, family, church is in some way un-political. Be bold from the convenient store clerk to your old dad. But, remember, also be courteous. Then, I would tell you, "Be Intentional." If you want to accomplish a goal or a career path, be very intentional. It's not for your mama, daddy, teacher, or friend to be intentional for you. No such thing as vicarious intentionality (someone else having it for you). You must be the one with the burning zeal to go after what you want. In this process, let no one look down on you because they think you are too young. When you possess targeted intentionality, it will be amazing what will happen: resources, opportunities, and people will come out of nowhere to help you achieve your goal. Many people receive little help because they have no intentions. There again, you can always be intentional and nice! Finally, I would tell the graduates, "Work for it." Many people learn too late in life that no one owes us squat. Here we wait for someone to come along and give us our heart's desire on a silver or even golden platter. We wait and wait and wait. So, I would tell 2002 graduates not to wait until their 30s to learn that everything they get, they must work hard for it. In talking to a hard-working postal carrier about a possible mate who is a personal friend of mine, she asked me, "Does he have a bank account?" Indeed, it takes hard work to have a bank account, especially with some reserves in it. A special plaudit to my daughter, Anna, who graduates Friday night from Starr's Mill High School. She's a great girl, made so by a great Mom and a great Lord Jesus Christ. Congratulations, Anna, and to all 2002 graduates. Go for it!
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community
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