Baccalaureate Homily

 This was a revamped sermon...but it seemed to fit for this year's grads.  

CW Baccalaureate
June 10, 2021
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Hebrews 12:1, 12-13
Psalm 139:1-14

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable and suitable in your sight O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen.  

Hey…

You made it…and we’re able to be together tonight.  To celebrate your accomplishments, give thanks to God for your journey thus far and to bless you for the days and adventures yet to come.  Woohoo! 

As I thought about this opportunity to preach tonight you need to know that I picked some of my favorite Bible verses to be read this evening.  Kind of selfish, I know, but they are verses that have continued to guide me throughout my life.  And might, just might, be helpful for you, too. 

As Layla read in Jeremiah, God has a plan for you.  Each and every one of you. A plan for your future…and a plan for hope.   While this may be a time of uncertainty for some of you…God has a plan for each of you. 

As Journee read in Hebrews, don’t forget…you are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses to love you, support you, cheer for you and to be there for you no matter what you face. 

The stadium that surrounds you in your day-to -day lives is filled with loved ones near and far, loved ones living and those who are no longer with us.  And, there is always space in those stands for new witnesses, family, friends, coaches, mentors, faith leaders, co-workers, who will be there for you in the adventures to come. 

And as Olivia read from Psalm 139…be reminded…daily, if need be, that God, the creator of all things…created you…in God’s holy and beautiful image. 

You, yes you, are created in the image of God. 

A God who loves you no matter what, so deal with it. 

You are loved beyond compare and are holy, beautiful, brave, bold, kind, proud, courageous, fierce, strong, determined, inspiring and loved. 

So, as you go on your way, I wanted to leave you with my personal top 10…for getting up and facing the world every day. 

A shout out to Chris Pratt, who introduced this as the 9 Rules from Chris Pratt as he received the MTV Our Generation award in 2018. 

You can catch his speech on YouTube…mine is slightly different, but if you need to learn about how to poop at a party without stinking up the bathroom you should look to him, not me. 

Number 1 – Breathe.  If you do anything today, breathe.  You need to.  Your life depends upon it.  Just breathe.  It will help you through the rest of the day.  

Number 2 – Stay Connected.  In whatever form that looks like to you.  There are probably people here who will be with you through thick and thin…hold on to those folks.  Check in on them…be reminded that you are not alone. 

Number 3 – Serve others.  Take time, no make time to do this.  You can make a deep impact in the world when you reach out to others.  Feeding the hungry, being an active voice for those who cannot speak up for themselves, helping in at-risk communities, providing a place and a space for someone who needs it. 

Number 4 – You’re not perfect.  You’re not.  Accept that and continue to be the amazing person that God created you and calls you to be right now.  

Because Number 5- You are made in God’s image.  You are beautiful, holy, strong, wise, creative, brave and needed in our world right now, just as you are.  

Number 6 – Become friends with someone different than you.  Now is the time when your settings, environments and people around you will change.  Be diverse in how you welcome in new friends or co-workers.  Think about it as you scroll through social media.  Are you following people who look just like you, agree with everything you say and offer no diversity?  Friends, this world is diverse and beautiful.  Look at the people that you follow on social media and be sure that they feed your soul, inspire you and encourage you to see beyond your own view.  

Number 7 – Love God, Love All.  Keep on living out of God’s love in whatever way that takes shape in your daily life.  

Number 8 – Be kind.  I know, that seems like a given, but it needs to be said.  The snarky comments on social media, and in person, the posts shared that put down others, not needed friends.  I visited with a 90+ year old woman yesterday who when I asked her what we should pray for she said, that everyone is nice to one another.  Kindness she said, doesn’t cost anything.  Holding the door, smiling at someone, being human to others will make a world of difference and it’s so simple.

Number 9 – God loves you, no matter what!  It needs to be said, over and over again, that no matter who you are and what you have done or haven’t done, God loves you, no matter what, so deal with it!  

And number 10 –Be the you-iest you.  Don’t try to be someone else either to fit in, or make a statement or try to prove a point.  Do you know how hard it will be to keep up that charade? 

Be you.  You…as you….have great power, strength, presence and honesty.

Be you…when you fall learn how to get back up or ask for help.

Be you…when you achieve great heights give thanks and point out those who helped you get there….It’s Abby Wambach who when she was playing professional soccer, that after scoring a goal would point, at her teammates on the field and those on the bench who helped her get the opportunity to score. 

Be you…God created you because God knows the world needs you, the you-iest you. 

Still figuring out who you are?  Be kind and true to yourself as you do and remember that you are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses that you have fans to cheer you on, to listen to your questions, your hopes, your dreams, your future. 

You got this, class of 2021.  

Congratulations & blessings.

Keep being awesome. 
And keep being the you-iest!

And let all God’s people say, amen.