Graduation

April 6, 2025
 
Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
Be it high school graduation or college graduation, the season is soon upon us.  
 
I think about those who might be blessed to be the valedictorian of their class.  For sure, I was not one of them 😊.  I was just one of the plain ordinary guys who graduated in the class of 1967.  I graduated not with credentials of high standing, my letter jacket not weighed down with trophies for my athletic prowess, but for some reason as I walked down the aisle to the band playing Pomp and Circumstance, with a classmate I didn't even like, I felt this sense of accomplishment for things of the past, and a sense of anticipation of things to come in the future.
 
With graduation, every valedictorian is given the honor of presenting a speech to the class.  Today, I have no idea what the speech was that my class valedictorian, Valerie, gave to our 1967 graduates.  It was probably like most speeches from one classmate to another.  If I were to summarize all of the valedictorian speeches, it probably would be something like this.  “Lookout world, here we come!” 
 
Though Valerie’s 1967 graduating class speech may have been important for the moment, 25 years later at a class reunion, one of the common folk, like me, gave the most memorable speech.  Each of us stood up and shared our life journey.  Then it was Karen’s turn to share her story.  As her story unfolded the room became quiet.  She told us that she had cancer and was soon going to die.  There were many tears, mine included.  As she closed, she said something like this.  “We were together for 12 years of our lives.  You are all my friends.  Jesus is my Lord and Savior and I'm not afraid of dying.  I know I will be in heaven with Him.  When you die, I want you to be there with me.”   Gulp… “Karen, though 30 years too late, I thank you for your brave witness.”
 
If I were to write a valedictorian speech today, it would focus on the end of the journey and not the beginning.  When it is all said and done, only what's been done for Christ will last. 
 
Come to Jesus!
Pastor Allan     
 
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