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| Graduation addresses and speeches are usually filled with motivating thoughts, grand encouragements to “do something great,” and rousing words of hope for the future. They are fun to read (if not to sit through) and often inspiring. Because graduation marks not only a completion of one phase of life but also the beginning of a new direction, it is a natural time of reflection when life is measured for purpose and direction. While one would expect that coming to grips with one’s purpose in life would be a major focus of education and of raising children into adulthood, it is often completely lacking. Perhaps this is because the question of purpose is so enormous that it is difficult to wrap our arms around it. Most often we ignore the question as we get caught up in all of the daily routines of completing tasks and pursuing pleasures and self-improvement. Yet the enormity of the question demands that it be treated with the importance it deserves. Years ago the valedictorian of a college graduating class stunned the student body at commencement when he said: “I have been at this university four years. I have studied my courses; I have done all I could. But in these four years I have not found out what life is all about. I don’t know why I am here. I don’t know why I exist. And if anybody knows, I wish you would please come and tell me.” Most commencement speakers answer the question by encouraging graduates to make their mark on society. At Dartmouth this year Tom Brokaw challenged the graduates to “do something great.” This is a good and important message! But is it enough? Is it enough to define our purpose and identity by our productivity in society? While it is a noble intention to help people and serve humanity, does it satisfy our quest for meaning and purpose? It is hard to sustain humanitarianism as the core significance of our existence in the light of the overwhelming futility of our best efforts. Things like poverty, inhumanity, exploitation, and senseless tragedies continue to relentlessly plague every society in spite of our efforts. Furthermore, we all ultimately end up in a grave. Only a purpose anchored in eternity can make sense of the short futility of life on this earth. This was hinted at in one of the opening scenes of Gladiator when Maximus inspires his army by telling them in effect: “What you do on earth echoes in eternity.” And this is the essential message of Jesus proclaiming that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. He brought the hope of heaven to people because He claimed to be the pathway to heaven (John 14:6). Knowing that God created the world and cares especially about mankind made in His image gives life meaning to followers of Christ. Therefore, loving people and doing great things have tremendous significance, both now and for eternity. Since we know that there is a heaven what we do and what we believe does indeed echo in eternity. |
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by Dr. J. Patrick Curtis, Senior Pastor |
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