Almost 26 years of my parish ministry were closely entwined with campus ministry at Michigan Technological University. Over the decades, I was privileged to serve a lot of college-age Christians. And it’s those students, the graduates in particular, I’ve had on my mind lately. Perhaps it’s just nostalgia that comes with this time of year. Perhaps it’s a growing sense of urgency to reach out and check on them. (Mother Hen Campus Pastor Syndrome.) Whatever the reason, I’ve been scouring my files looking for materials to share. Then I came across something I wrote for Forward in Christ a few years back. It was geared to graduates. But as I scanned the article, I thought, “This speaks to me! Right now. Just shy of 70 years of age in part-time ministry, but not quite ready to be put out to pasture yet. What lies ahead, as long as the Lord gives me life and breath?”
So I decided to adapt my FIC article and put it on my refrigerator where I will see it every day. (Proof yet again that I am older than dirt.) And I’ve decided to share the adapted article with you. Because every last one of us--whether just confirmed, just graduated, just married, just started a career, just started a family, just changed careers, just turned 40, just became grandparents, just turned 50 or 60, just retired-ish, just retired, just became a great-grandparent, or just filled with barely enough energy to count the days until the Lord welcomes us across the threshold of our heavenly mansion—every last one of us is on this earth for a reason. (Romans 14:7-8)
Here’s what I am posting on my fridge. Adapt, if you like, for your fridge.
Step forward in faith by giving your very best. To your loved ones, to Trinity, to neighbors, to folks you meet throughout the day -- and more important to your Heavenly Father who gave you his very best in Jesus. “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish among a crooked and perverted generation. You shine among them like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:14-16)
Step forward in faith by remaining thankful for the many blessings your Lord has meticulously woven into the fabric of your life. For the ability to pursue your career dreams, to work and earn a living, for family and friends, for a roof over your head and food in the fridge, for gardening, for FISHING, and so much more, “just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, by being rooted and built up in him, and strengthened in the faith just as you were taught, while you overflow in faith with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
Step forward in faith by trusting in the Lord when the storms of life drive you to your knees. Lay hold of the Lord as did the Psalmist. “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, because my soul has taken refuge in you. In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge until destruction has passed by.” (Psalms 57:1)
Step forward in faith by never losing sight of that day when the academic gown, the business clothes, the coveralls, or the preacher’s robe will be exchanged for the robes of perfect righteousness, bought and paid for in Jesus. Life -- here-and-now and eternal -- is a gift so precious that the Apostle Paul urges you, “Whatever you do, keep working at it with all your heart, as for the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Keep serving the Lord Christ!” (Colossians 3:23-24)
Take the prayer of the Psalmist and make it your own. “May the kindness of the Lord our God rest upon us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalms 90:17)
Privileged to serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
So I decided to adapt my FIC article and put it on my refrigerator where I will see it every day. (Proof yet again that I am older than dirt.) And I’ve decided to share the adapted article with you. Because every last one of us--whether just confirmed, just graduated, just married, just started a career, just started a family, just changed careers, just turned 40, just became grandparents, just turned 50 or 60, just retired-ish, just retired, just became a great-grandparent, or just filled with barely enough energy to count the days until the Lord welcomes us across the threshold of our heavenly mansion—every last one of us is on this earth for a reason. (Romans 14:7-8)
Here’s what I am posting on my fridge. Adapt, if you like, for your fridge.
Step forward in faith by giving your very best. To your loved ones, to Trinity, to neighbors, to folks you meet throughout the day -- and more important to your Heavenly Father who gave you his very best in Jesus. “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish among a crooked and perverted generation. You shine among them like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:14-16)
Step forward in faith by remaining thankful for the many blessings your Lord has meticulously woven into the fabric of your life. For the ability to pursue your career dreams, to work and earn a living, for family and friends, for a roof over your head and food in the fridge, for gardening, for FISHING, and so much more, “just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, by being rooted and built up in him, and strengthened in the faith just as you were taught, while you overflow in faith with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
Step forward in faith by trusting in the Lord when the storms of life drive you to your knees. Lay hold of the Lord as did the Psalmist. “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, because my soul has taken refuge in you. In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge until destruction has passed by.” (Psalms 57:1)
Step forward in faith by never losing sight of that day when the academic gown, the business clothes, the coveralls, or the preacher’s robe will be exchanged for the robes of perfect righteousness, bought and paid for in Jesus. Life -- here-and-now and eternal -- is a gift so precious that the Apostle Paul urges you, “Whatever you do, keep working at it with all your heart, as for the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Keep serving the Lord Christ!” (Colossians 3:23-24)
Take the prayer of the Psalmist and make it your own. “May the kindness of the Lord our God rest upon us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalms 90:17)
Privileged to serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke
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