Dads And Grads

Fathers – we men are called to be made either strong enough for commercial use or good enough for residential purposes. Out in the world we are expected to be tough, made to last, competitive and impactful. Back at home, the essentials are gentleness, loving, caring and sensitive. So you can see how we often become confused in our functions. On one hand, in order for men to survive at their jobs they must push for excellence, focus on results and drive towards advancements. On the other hand at home, our families yearn for our attention, demand for our time and depend on our leadership. It’s tough to be a man. How in the world can we be effective?

One grade that surpasses all other qualities (commercial, industrial or residential) is the quality of being Spiritual. It’s probably not what the world require (in fact shuns). Being Spiritual is not measured in terms of grade. It is by grace that we are deemed good by God! The apostle Paul in Philippians 3 explains that spirituality provides us with clear perspectives in how we live - For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh. I’ll return to this verse.

Let me now address our graduates. You did it. You graduated. And the church celebrates your accomplishments. In reality, church did very little to help get you to where you are today. Whether your association with church is 21 years, 18 years or just a short 2 years, church has been modest in making who you have become and what you have accomplished. The people at church also did very little to impact you. They encouraged you, yes. They modeled to you, yes. But to shape you into having a will to succeed as you have and to finish the course as you did, we have very little to do with it.

Because it’s not the church but God. It was God who have helped you run the race. God helped you cross the finish line. It was God who helped you earn your rights to now be considered qualified to commence towards your next chapter in life. The verse declares that “We who serve God by His Spirit boast in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” You didn't do it alone. Nor will you ever be alone in your pursuit of the future. God was there and God will always be there.

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13) That’s reality. Someone said that “The spiritual person is not seeking to escape reality; the spiritual person is seeking to engage reality, to uncover falsehood, peel back the illusions that keep us separate from what is real … (Rev. Sam Alexander) What’s real is that there is a God, we are His creation and we are the stewards of His creation. When we serve each other, we are serving God.

For those entering the workforce, choose to be a Spiritual Steward for Christ. For those going to college, be a Spiritual Student. Work hard, rely on Him and serve one another.