Its been 3 months since I've been charged with these words and I can only hope I've done what I had been urged to do. I know my way of doing things is not always viewed as conventional by most Christians and I've found many non-Christians seem to think that I'm an unusual Christian but I honestly believe I am leading the life that my Creator wants me to live. I believe in actions speak louder than words and have come to realize I firmly believe that. I believe God has placed me in people's lives to be a light even though its easier for a light to go out than it is to make other lights shine. But that is where my heart is. With those who may not be Reformed or even Christian. I hold tight to my beliefs while being friends with people who have different (but mostly similar) belief. I have my PCC family to help me hold tight, all my friends to encourage me, and the rest of the world to show what God has done for them and for me. I may not know where I'll be in the next four weeks after camp, the next four months, or the next four years but I know that I am where God needs and wants and has created me to be and therefor I will put my mark on the world and perhaps change the world...or someone's world or part of the world...oh wait I already have; I was apart of the first graduating class of Providence Christian College.
So with that said here is the speech that Mr. Kortenhoeven, a dear teacher, mentor, and friend made my last night as a Providence Christian College Student:
"What a ride these last four years have been. I want to thank each of you for not only traveling on this journey with us but also for making this journey so enjoyable. You have been our guinea pigs (and I apologize for that) … like parents with a first child, we have made a lot of mistakes (remember those intense 4-Ws your first semester?) … … but you had the courage to complain, comment, make recommendations, propose solutions … and all with grace because you wanted the best for Providence. Thank you for helping to shape this institution.
There are hundreds of books written by people who think that they have your generation figured out. They have called you by a number of names …
Millennials … because you began college in 2000 kind of
Digital Natives … because your first language is technology
Generation Me … because you are only concerned about yourself
Generation We (we not wii) … because you are concerned about others
Generation Next … because they couldn’t think of something after Gen X … and it rhymes
The Net Generation … because you like the inter-net
The Harry Potter Generation … because you like Harry Potter
Generation Y … because you question everything.
One author, Mark Bauerlein (2008), has even called you the “dumbest generation.” His book, The Dumbest Generation, is subtitled “Don’t trust anyone under 30”; the author laments how you have lost the love of books, and you now think that Google has more impact than Gutenberg. Mark Bauerlein, a college professor (who by the way probably has no friends on facebook) cites a number of facts to support his claim that you are the dumbest generation … like, the average college student only reads for 8 minutes a day and that you are 6 times more likely to know the name of the latest American idol than the name of the Speaker of the House. While there may be some truth to his claims that your generation doesn’t know these things, it doesn’t apply to you … I know you read more and I’m sure you know the speaker of the house? Anyone?
Ironically, most of the criticism of your generation has come from people in the previous two generations … the first, the baby boomers, who have produced the Madoffs and Enrons of the world by promoting the lie that “greed is good” and that the accumulation of wealth is the ultimate goal in life; the second generation that regularly takes shots at you is generation X … my generation … a group of people that are so cynical and apathetic that we would rather do nothing than do what an authority figures tell us to do.
Yes, these criticisms of you and your generation have come from the same people that have given you a social inheritance that is morally and financially bankrupt.
Okay, you are not the perfect generation – and some of you may be dumb, but you are smart enough not to follow the paths of previous generations. And yes, you ask a lot of questions … but they are the right questions … like why are we doing this? What’s the ultimate point? Unfortunately, your elders have not been able to give you answers to these questions … and that frustrates you and annoys them … so much so that they resort to calling you names … like “the dumbest generation.” Keep asking those important questions and demanding those answers.
Some of the positive qualities of your generation and your class …You want to make a difference in this world and will take a job that has meaning and a mission that you believe in rather than the highest pay check. You would rather see your workplace be a better place than owning a share of a company (or even becoming a partner of a company) that you don’t believe in. You are optimistic about the future and your ability to make this world a better place. You are well connected, socially net-worked, and technologically savvy … and you multi-task like nobody’s business. You are unbelievably creative … in areas that previous generations didn’t even dream could exist … like graphic arts, social networking, and website designs. But I think the biggest asset of your generation(especially in light of my generation) is that you care … And this is my challenge to you …
Seniors … take care. I say this not as a casual farewell … like See Ya Later (alligator) or … or After A While (crocodile) … but take care.
Take Care of Yourself
When most colleges talk about taking care of yourself … their focus is completely self-serving.
When asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” college students in the mid 90s from Duke’s School of Business answered … “with few exceptions, [that] they wanted three things – money, power, and things (very big things, including vacation homes, expensive automobiles, yachts and even airplanes). Primarily concerned with their careers and the growth of their financial portfolios, their personal plans contained little room for family, intellectual development, spiritual growth or social responsibility. Their mandate to the faculty was, “Teach me how to be a moneymaking machine.” “Give me only the facts, tools and techniques required to ensure my instantaneous financial success.” All else was irrelevant.” (as quoted in Garber, 1996, p. 79).
I am talking about a different thing.
I hope that you’ve learned something about taking care of yourself during these past 4 years.
Much, of course, comes from God’s word and what He says about how to take care of yourself.
Be still (Ps. 46:10) … reflect upon God’s word, meditate on it day and night (Ps. 119), devote yourselves to prayer (Col. 4:2), pray continuously (I Thes 5:17). Spend time technologically “unconnected” so that you can be still and know God. Cherish those times of quiet meditation … Follow the advice of monks … “speak only if you can improve upon the silence” (as cited in Schultze, 2005, p. 59). In light of this, remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8), and live a life with a Sabbath rhythm -- work hard, but set times of rest to be still and to be renewed.
Take time for sunsets. I remember on my honeymoon in Yosemite National Park … my wife and I were told that we absolutely must watch the sunset from Glacier Point. So we drove up to Glacier Point, set up our blanket, and watched the sunset … and the sun set like it always does, and we packed up our things feeling rather disappointed and began driving down the mountain. About half-way down, the sky suddenly burst into a beautiful array of colors. Because we weren’t patient we had missed it. Be patient enough to fully enjoy a sunset.
Say “no” – don’t believe the lie that “busyness is next to godliness.” You do not have to be a part of every church committee or every social group. Have a strong sense of where God has placed you and seek to glorify Him by using your gifts in those areas. The more we do or try to do, the more we have the temptation to think that we don’t need God or the body of Christ assembled around us.
Unfortunately, thinking back upon your four years there was too much busyness and not enough sunsets. Exhibit A … your first semester … orientation, followed by a “retreat,” followed by Baja, followed a hike to Mt. Baldy, followed by the King Tut exhibit, followed by parents weekend, followed by a reformation awareness week, followed by a Reformation conference led by a cowboy, followed by the 4-W that would not end, followed by the hiking class overnight camping trip … and that was all before Thanksgiving. I’m sorry.
Take Care of Others
Reflect on the scriptures that so beautifully portrays the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5; I Cor. 12:12). But remember a few things …
You are not the head of the body; Christ is (Col. 1:18; I Cor. 11:3; Eph 1:10; Eph. 4:15). Follow God’s Word and know that “He upholds, as with His hand … all things” (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 10) … follow His lead.
You need others. One of the greatest problems of our society is our independence. We think that we can do it alone … from a young age we are taught to be independent … when scripture so clearly teaches us dependence on God and those around us. You will face trials that will drive you to tears and to your knees … set aside your pride and ask for help. God has placed people in your life as His agents of mercy … rely on them.
Just like you need others … Others need you. God has also placed you in people’s lives “for such a time” (Esther 4:14). Open your eyes to those that are hurting around you … and give generously of your time to listen and to care for them. Christ so clearly commands you to Love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:39) … and Christ is your head, so as part of the body you must follow His lead. All of you will have a sphere of influence. It may include roommates, friends, co-workers, little kids you teach in Sunday school, the people you come into contact with at the grocery store, gas station, baseball game. Show God’s love to them and daily strive to make a positive impact on their life.
Take Care of the Community
When someone says “take care of the community” as Christians we immediately think about our cultural mandate in Genesis 1:28. Let me encourage you to have a full perspective of the cultural mandate.
Be actively involved in caring for your community. Of course, you should vote, but you should also work on community improvement committees, volunteer with non-profit organizations, care for the environment, and give generously of your time to make your community a better place. But not just to be a “community activist,” or to be concerned about your “carbon footprint,” or even to “try and leave [the] world a little better that you found it” like the boy scout motto (“Baden Powell’s Legacy”). But, I’m talking about something more … your calling in the cultural mandate to care for creation and in Christ’s command that “you are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). God has equipped and prepared you specifically to make a difference in the place that God has placed you. Like Frederick Buechner says … “The place where God calls you is the place where your deepest gladness and the world’s deepest hunger meet.” He has placed you and equipped you so that you can work for restoration and reconciliation in your communities.
Get out of your house. Resist the temptation to build a home with a white picket fence (and flowers) in which you stay inside, with monastic zeal, avoiding the sin that is out there in the world (Schultze, 2005). Get out on the sidewalk and interact with your community (Mueller, 2006). Get to know the community … yes, they are sinners (but so are you) and they hurt (just like you do), but you have the “the light of life” (John 8:12) to share with them –– for this is the only thing that will take away their sin and pain.
Pick Weeds … This seems like a literal and simplistic interpretation of the cultural mandate, but I think that this is important. I have always considered weeds a direct result of the Fall … now Dr. McHargue may disagree with me and cite numerous positive aspects of weeds, but I don’t see use for weeds. But I do see the pulling of weeds to be an excellent metaphor for living this life between the “already and the not yet.” So pick weeds literally and figuratively … We are called to be faithful in these relatively small tasks so that, like the parable of the talents, God will say “well done, good and faithful servant” and “put us “in charge of [larger] things” (Matt. 25:21).
Seniors, take care of yourself, others, and your community …
Walker Percy was concerned about college graduates “getting all A’s but flunking life.” What he is talking about has a lot to do with success, and of course, we want our graduates to be successful …
I believe that you will be successful, but it all depends on how you define success. If you measure success by financial wealth, then, no, you are not successful. If you measure success by looks, then, unfortunately, you all look rather ordinary. If you measure success by fame, then, no, you are not famous or well-known (Providence promotional materials don’t count). Hmmm … graduates who are not wealthy, not stunningly beautiful, not famous …Well, maybe you aren’t successful??
But if we measure success by what scripture says, then, you are very successful. You have immeasurable wealth, and beauty, and value because you are God’s child, made in His image, and redeemed by the blood of the lamb.
Are you successful? Do you know scripture more fully than when you arrived? Do you understand a biblical perspective on your major? Have you demonstrated excellence in your academic field? Have you put into practice your firm foundation to be engaged in your church, your community, and the world for the glory of God and for service to humanity (Providence Mission Statement)? Did the past four years help you to more fully “glorify God and enjoy Him forever?” It is my prayer that that has occurred. For, that is our chief end (Westminster Catechism Q&A 1). And that is how we measure success here at Providence.
Your class is special and diverse … the first class being 22 individuals from 11 different states. A class of unique personalities and wonderful gifts … a class that we are proud to call our first graduating class.
You are Providence and you will always be Providence wherever you go. And we thank God that providence is a doctrine … not just the name of our college. As you read the descriptions of “providence” from the Westminster and Heidelberg Catechisms for one of the last times in this room … take this doctrine with you …it will bring you a deep and everlasting comfort as you go forth from this place.
Seniors, in short, my charge to you is this …
Take care … Seniors … Take Care. "
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