This is the season of graduations…a season of completions. Seniors have completed their coursework, but often that means a new chapter of living out what you’ve learned begins.
I can remember several “graduations” in my life…some official, such as high school, college, and seminary. But there’s also several unofficial graduations I hold in high regard in my life, such as passing or graduating from the motorcycle safety class and passing my check-ride, thus graduating from flight training and earning my pilot’s license.
To receive my pilot’s license, I had to fly with an FAA Instructor because of an eye issue I have. I did the maneuvers asked of me, I answered questions the instructor asked, and once back on the ground, the official congratulated me and said I had passed. He signed my logbook and handed me a piece of paper. The interesting thing is he didn’t say, “Here you go, this is your pilot’s license. You’re done.” He said, “This is your ticket to keep on learning.” The instructor went on to say that truly skilled pilots approach each flight as a learning opportunity. Those words have stuck with me and become an unofficial directive for my life…to keep on learning.
I believe Jesus did sort of the same thing, giving his disciples some ongoing life-altering instructions before he left them, as that flight instructor did for me. What Jesus said to the disciples back then, that also speaks to us his followers of today, is this; “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Notice Jesus didn’t say, “You’ve graduated now. You’re done. I’ve taught you and you’ve learned everything you need to know.” No, he told them to “love” one another, a word that is an active and ongoing action word. It doesn’t mean “once and done.” It is something we keep on doing…regularly…daily! Plus, it’s something we must keep learning and growing in as we ask the question, “How did Jesus love me?” because that’s how I/we are to love others.
So, to the graduates, congratulations…and keep on learning!! And to all of us who are followers of Jesus, may we keep on learning and growing as we live out Jesus’ “new command.” The call to love is truly something our world needs, now more than ever, and it’s something that truly takes a lifetime to learn and accomplish. Yes, let’s love one another!!
Serving Together,
Pastor Keith