GRADUATION CLASS FAREWELL SPEECH
There are moments in life that force themselves upon us with such a rush of emotions and expectations, fear even, that they become permanently etched into the “bone” of our soul. We sincerely believe that we are experiencing such a moment on the Graduation Day when we gather neither because duty calls, nor because we have a custom we faithfully follow, but rather because we love the young people graduating and we want to celebrate with them a great event in their lives: The Commencement of their new paths! This moment will be etched forever in their minds and souls, so we decided to add something to it, a tiny wee seed that someday might, just might, yield some awesome fruit.
Dear Graduating Class, did you know that there is a command in the Bible that tells us that we ought to study? Not just that, but it tells us what to study, and why, what are the benefits!
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”(KJV)
Let me start with the “Why.”
This world we live in is split in two: there is an outside world and an inside world. The outside world is that part of our race that doesn’t know God. They are outside of the House of God, outside of the Covenants of God, outside of the will of God, outside of the blessings of God, outside of the life of God, and outside of the Salvation of God. This world is in a GREAT danger: God will soon punish it with fire and brimstones, and it will be thrown into hell.
Then, there is the inside world, the world to which we sincerely hope that you belong to: that part of the human race that is inside the household of God, inside His blessings and Covenants, inside His very Life, and inside His great Salvation, our Lord Jesus Christ! Did you ever realize what an awesome responsibility rests on our shoulders, yours and mine, on the shoulders of those who know and see that the other half of the world is sinking and dying, to beacon them to safety?
Here is then why we have to obey this command: because it is a sure way to get the attention of those outside and maybe save some of them. Can you name a greater satisfaction, a greater glory and honor than that of knowing that you personally have saved someone from death and from eternal torment? Just imagine what honor WE would give someone that jumped in water or fire to save a child from death! How much more satisfaction and glory will GOD bestow upon those who saved the eternal souls of men and women from the eternal punishment that awaits all nonbelievers? So that’s your “Why”, right there, without even mentioning that in addition, by being a good student of these things, you achieve financial freedom and great wisdom.
But WHAT is the Bible commending us to study?
Here is what it says: “…study to be quiet, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands.” Another translation says: “…make it your ambition to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands.” Einstein even tried to convert this wisdom into an equation, the equation of success. Said he: “If A is success in life, then A=x+y+z, where x is work, y is play, and z is keeping your mouth shut.”
Of all the things you have been taught here in this school, you will forget soon most, but what we strived to give you in this school is not merely knowledge but an education. Someone was saying that “an education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten,” and another one was saying that “education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” Keep therefore an open mind and heart, don’t set your plans in stone, otherwise God might just have to break them into pieces.
This is one thing that we hope you will always remember the one thing that we hope will become part not of your knowledge but rather of your education: there is a dire need of people who follow the Bible. Elizabeth Elliot’s dad was always pressing upon her that this is one of the most important commands in the Bible: study to be quiet, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands. In doing so, the Bible guarantees that you will achieve something of an immeasurable worth: instead of becoming a man of success, you will become a man of value.
A man of value will not lack anything. He will not lack resources, he will not lack satisfaction, and, most importantly, he will not lack opportunities to share what he knows and his faith with people that are not so fortunate, that are outside, in the darkness, watching. On the lookout!
We should remember, and remember well: we’re watched, all of us, by hungry people who desperately yearn for light, for love, and for life eternal.
May God help you remember this command and fulfill it
Click here to see a video of our 2012 Graduation Ceremony.
TESTIMONIES AND STORIES OF SUCCESS
Ilinca Cristescu – 2007 LCA Alumnus
University of Illinois at Chicago News
Feb.9, 2008 “Bowling Green, Ohio -The UIC women’s tennis trio of Ilinca Cristescu, Kristen McPhillips, and Suzanna Gracanin all debuted for the Flames against the Falcons, with sophomore McPhillips gutting through a 10-8 tiebreaker to claim the sole victory for UIC Bensenville native Ilinca Cristescu was ranked the number one Chicagoland junior player in 2006.”
Feb.10, 2008 “Toledo, Ohio -Singles matches went well for the UIC Flames, with Ilinca Cristescu first dual match singles victory in her career. The freshman won at the first singles position, defeating Martina Wodzinski in three sets.” Source: www.uicfalmes.com