Celebrating Milestones

Tonight the youngest of my four children graduated from grade 8. As part of the celebration one of the teachers created a slide presentation that had pictures of the graduates as babies or toddlers and then showed the graduate today. Seeing the picture that Jordan chose to use brought back many good memories; I'm really proud of the fact that I did not cry!

This was the third time I had sat in that gym listening to speeches, hearing families whistle and cheer for their graduate and witnessing promising young people be rewarded for their hard work and contributions to the world around them. If you've ever been to a graduation ceremony you know that we heard about tonight being the end of one chapter and the beginning of an exciting new one. We also heard about how all the hard work this year was worth it and that it would stand graduates in good stead as they entered grade 9. I don't think any graduation ceremony would be complete without comments about the opportunities that lie ahead and the need to make the most of them. Cliches? Sure, but all of them true.

The whole experience made me think of what it will be like when we get called upon to attend our heavenly graduation. What milestones will we be celebrating? What rewards will we be receiving? Just like each of tonight's graduates, all of us who have chosen Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour will receive the certificate of Eternal Life. For some of us, that may be the only award we receive but just like those who received special recognition for specific achievements, our endeavours for the Kingdom of God will gain us recognition in heaven.

I found it thought provoking to consider the fact that there were many special awards so that students who excel in their areas of giftedness would be honoured for using those gifts. The Bible clearly tells us that we have been given gifts and that we are to use them. Doing so provides us the opportunity to be rewarded in heaven.

Can you picture it...a huge auditorium...if there are streets of gold, what will the chairs look like? Millions of people - and a sound system that's so amazing everyone can hear every word spoken! An emcee who has all the lines memorized, who calls each person up in the right order and has all the awards correctly assigned. Surely that would be the epitome of 'thunderous applause'? If I could experience pride over the achievements of my son's grade 8 graduation, what will it be like for my Heavenly Father when I receive my Heavenly awards.

One more 'cliche' type comment - alluding to the next graduation ceremony that will come in 4 years, the admonition to make the most of those 4 years and be prepared for the next milestone. Similarly we are encouraged to press on for the prize that awaits us...

I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. Philippians 3:12-14

One reason I am typing this blog so late is that we chose to 'reward' Jordan with the gift of a party with some of his friends. As I write, there are nine 14 year old boys in our basement, eating snacks, drinking pop (Sorry, Catherine!), talking, laughing and reminiscing about the past year. They are, in effect, celebrating the milestones that matter to them. I think I will take some time when I am finished to reminisce about some of the milestones in my life; the ones that will last for eternity. I will also look forward to being able to celebrate them with my Heavenly Father when the time comes.