Graduation

The other day, I worked as a host at this university's graduation ceremonies. The faculties were medicine and science.  

Although we were hosting four ceremonies on that day, it was quite an easy day for us as we were in the balcony, where the guests were.  After checking their tickets, we showed them to their seats and relaxed.   

When it was my turn to sit inside the theatre, I watched the graduates and post graduates dressed in their gowns and mortar boards as their names were called out with their awards. They walked on stage and were cheered on by their contemporaries and the audience.

It got me thinking of how different the academic worldview is to my Christian worldview.

The world of academia is based on merit.  If you want a good degree - undergraduate and postgraduate - you have to work really hard for it.  The chancellor reminded them about how their various degrees are going to open many doors of opportunities for them.

The Christian worldview is not based on merit, but on what Jesus has done for all of humanity through His death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. Those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour receive His gifts of salvation, forgiveness, redemption, righteousness and everlasting life, not based on their efforts or works, but by His grace through faith.

The next day, I had the day off.  By the evening, I started feeling pain in one knee, which got progressively worse.  At first, I was concerned as lots of the work I do these days involve long hours of standing, but I reminded myself not to worry.

The more I prayed and meditated on various Bible verses, the worse the pain got. By the middle of the night, I was limping around my bedroom. I wanted to sleep, but I was also determined to be healed. I heard the thought, "Be still and know that I am God," (Psalm 46: 10), but I couldn't relax as I was too busy thinking of Bible verses to make myself feel better. 

As I was still up by 5.30am, I switched on my laptop on my bed and logged into the GodTV channel to listen to whoever was preaching. I slowly drifted off to sleep. When I woke up, I heard a pastor preaching about how it's important to rest and let God work. If you're busy working, you won't allow God to work in you.

Aha! I have been working hard to be healed instead of resting and letting my healing in.  Jesus has said, His grace is sufficient for us.  All I need to do is receive His grace.

As we were expecting the landlord and electrician to come round to do some inspection, I had planned to be out of the way. I noticed my knee wasn't hurting as much. I got ready and trust in God's grace to take me for a long walk around our local park. It was the perfect weather for it.

My knee has been getting better and better as I am receiving all the Grace I need.

In the world, it's all about getting what you deserve by merit; but as a Christian you have to graduate from having a works and merit mentality to an unmerited favour mentality.  In other words, Jesus has already done the work on our behalf.  All we need to do is rest and receive.

Thank you, Lord, for working in me and through me. ❤️

------

Relevant Bible verses:

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46: 10

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40: 28-31

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4: 6

"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 

"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2: 13

Photos taken during my walk.