Graduation Ceremony

“From the days of John the Baptist until the present, the kingdom from heaven has been forcefully advancing,…” (Matthew 11:12)

Our grandson graduated high school yesterday. He attended a school which accentuated, supported and assisted Homeschool students. It was a small class of about twenty graduates. The class was well represented with musicians and artists, some who played, exhibiting their skill with a musical interlude. After an opening prayer a Speaker encouraged the student’s to always seek God who gives success and is the source of all blessing. Then, to my surprise the parents of each graduate gave a blessing with the diploma.

My favorite blessing by the parents in the graduation ceremony was a father of a girl who was very talented musically. He shared how their family had recently visited Cheekwood, Botanical garden, on Mother’s Day. As they toured the gardens they came upon a small alcove. Upon entering the father shared, “The acoustics were amazing.”  Suddenly, to his surprise his daughter pulled out a small flute, which looked like a mere toy. Then he said, “She played a tune which resounded amplified and delighted everyone in the small chamber.” This brief story was so sincere, full of adoration and gratefulness. It expressed more than thousands of words through a broken voice of tears and humility, the great love and pride he held for their daughter. Their were many other exhortations and most expressed or acknowledged Christian themes or scriptures giving thanks and honor for God’s favor and lovingkindness.

One might consider the overriding Christian theme a product of Southern culture or that many Homeschool families have fled the harmful circumstances in many public schools. However, these were not just religious sentiments, they expressed active faith and scriptures that were sincerely held. It was like the lights coming on in a dark room, this ceremony, students and faculty were pleasing to God. In the midst of a nation plagued with school shooting, rampant crime, and all manner of wickedness here is a beacon of light. It surely is not the only one, there must be more, not only graduation ceremonies, but weddings, retirements, all sorts of occasions and gatherings where people gather in the sight of God with thanksgiving, prayers, blessings and grateful hearts mindful of Jesus Christ and His work of Redemption. 

We pray for revival regularly and this was a small glimpse of what God’s revival looks like. God is working in peoples hearts, not on TV or in movies. Yeshua went through the small villages and towns reaching individuals with His gospel. He said, ““The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”” (Luke 17:20-21)