by David Melton
Graduation has come and gone. It is the strangest thing. For years you see students day after day, and then on one day it’s pretty much done. Graduation day is literally the last time I see some graduates for years at a time.
But I hate to think about the last time. Commencement means “beginning,” so I much prefer the firsts that come with graduations in Boston.
My favorite part of our commencement ceremonies is when I get to award the valedictorian. Our valedictorian is a closely guarded secret until about halfway through the ceremony when I get to spill the beans. I call to the platform the student who has earned the right to be known as “first” in the class. I always have the jitters and fight my emotions as I introduce the valedictorian. It is always a student I know well, one whom I have come to respect for his or her extraordinary academic efforts. You don’t graduate first in your class in Boston by accident. You earn it.
This year Kristin earned it. I remember when she came to Boston as a high school senior from Mesquite, Texas, out of Berean Baptist Church where David Mills is the pastor. Kristin had lots of good options but came to Boston — and she has knocked it out of the park on all fronts… as a student, a faithful worker at church (she has helped plant two new churches in her four years!), and as a person. Kristin is the real deal. It was absolutely great to hang the cord and sash around Kristin’s neck signifying her achievements… knowing that mom and dad were out there, hearts gushing with pride. Being first is pretty sweet.
But there are other firsts on graduation day. I had a dad shake my hand after our commencement and tell me his son was the first in their family to ever graduate from college. I celebrated with him. While some families have long college traditions, others are getting to celebrate the monumental achievement for the first time! I loved it.
For this year’s students, all our graduates were first. They are the first out the door. First into the fields. First onto the front lines for the Kingdom. The Class of 2010 has already headed out in all directions. Some have gone north, some south, some to church jobs, some to graduate schools, and some to the way-over-rated life in the grown-up world where you work a lot and live for God in the pretty routine responsibilities of life. I could say that their Boston days are over. Finished. I could say that. But that sounds a little too brusque for me just yet.
I like first better. And I think, pray, and honestly believe we have sent out another group of graduates who are first-class. I believe they will live for Jesus first. And I pray and work with our Boston team to make sure that they are only the latest firsts in a long line. We plan to help the next become more firsts.