Well done, good and faithful graduate!
Mark Leong is the Young Workers Program Manager at City Bible Forum which is odd. For he is neither young (although he has the nickname of "babyface" from one young worker) and many of his colleagues question whether he is a worker. A mixture of East meets West, NBA and AFL, High School Musical and ... .... yeah, there is no real opposite of that... all this means is he is a bit confused. However, he does have cool friends and this is his message to a group of them!
A shout out to all my friends who are graduating!
My Insta and FB newsfeeds have been flooded with pics of young workers graduating. Rather than indifference (the quick-flick treatment), rather than regret (if only I was back at uni…), I’ve felt joy looking at the pics, celebrating with them as they were surrounded by family, uni friends (even friends from the “other” uni) and flowers (I even saw some blokes with flowers too!). No doubt there were boring parts to endure – I remember almost falling asleep at my graduation ceremony - but all the different elements – the memories of last minute assignments, the friends and family who slaved away with you, your name being called out and you walking on stage – made the ceremony more than just a moment, but an occasion.
As I've watched graduation after graduation, I had a lightbulb moment:
What all these young workers have experienced is a snapshot of the Christian life.
Let me explain. Before the ceremony, all the graduates had already completed their courses - they had passed all their subjects, all their academic credits been counted and satisfied. All the requirements had been met … but they were still awaiting their graduation.
Those who trust in Jesus have likewise passed all their subjects. All the requirements have been met – not by their own hands, mind you, but by the hands nailed on the cross at the first Easter. What Jesus did can be credited to you and me. What he does counts and can be counted. That’s the good news of the Bible. All requirements have been met....
But those who trust in Jesus still await the graduation and like the pics in my feed reminded me, it promises to be a sweet, sweet celebration. Jesus describes it as the ultimate wedding buffet. This is a big call - being Asian, I know buffets intimately! This promises to be THE OCCASION – surrounded by millions who over the ages have made the same decision. Rather than a certificate and a 'well done' from the Dean, what awaits is a crown and 'well done, good and faithful servant' from God himself. Simply WOW!
Graduating young workers – thanks for sharing your pics, helping me be part of the day and congratulations! I hope that I’ll be able to play a part – whether it be large or small – in being with you when God himself says: "Well done, good and faithful graduate!"
