Dr. Lawrence Butler, The Bridge Church, Pembroke
A number of years ago John Jarvis and Randy Goodrum got together to write a song. Their desire was to write a Christmas/Holiday song that would be recorded by several people and widely played during the holiday season. They struck gold with their classic “Til the Season Comes Round Again.”
It has been recorded by such diverse singers as Amy Grant, Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Ronnie Milsap, Michael W. Smith, Lee Greenwood and the Little River Band. Most holiday songs have a theme that looks forward to the coming of the holiday. However, this song reflects back on what has just occurred and presents a wish for good will “Til the Season Comes Round Again.”
As I pondered parents and friends attending Commencement Services for our young people, I thought about this song. For so long we have looked forward to this occasion, the completion of high school or college, and now we see the fulfillment of lifelong dreams.
It is a most compelling emotional experience, one that bring joy and laughter as well as tears and sadness. We have worked, dreamed and spent sometimes much money to see this occurrence. Let’s not fail to enjoy the great accomplishment, but also realize that unlike Christmas, it will not come around again. It is a highlight of life, but one that passes so quickly.
Our lives are moving at what sometimes seems like breakneck speed. We are pushed along life’s highway and unable to slow down.
The years have passed so quickly since I received my high school diploma, my various college diplomas, my almost lifetime of work. There is one thing I can say with certainty, I agree with the Bible when it asks and then answers the question, “What is your Life?” A question with which we are all confronted.
The answer given is straight-forward and to the point. “It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). At the longest our lives are short. Our period of time on this earth will not be long, we should be aware of this and make sure those days are spent doing the will of God. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Cor. 5:10). I am glad for your accomplishment, proud that you stuck with the tasks though sometimes very difficult. Now it’s time to focus on living a life that brings honor to you, your family, and your God.