It’s graduation season! A time
to celebrate accomplishments! All those hours of study and testing boiled down
to an expensive piece of paper declaring, “You made it!”, handed to you at
Commencement.
Commencement—defined as “the beginning or start” points to where we go and what we do with all that information we absorbed.
While we may rightfully applaud those who have worked hard to attain the title “Graduate”, the accumulation of knowledge doesn’t guarantee wisdom. God’s Word teaches us that to commence wisely using what we have learned, we must have fear of—meaning awe of, respect for, reverence for, obedience to—the Lord.
I have read this truth in Proverbs 1:7 many times: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and there is good understanding to all that practice it: and piety toward God is the beginning of discernment; but the ungodly will set at nought wisdom and instruction.“
I discovered, though, that Proverbs 1:7 isn’t the only place this truth is proclaimed in the Bible!
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!” (Psalm 111:10)
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)
“The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.” (Job 28:28)
All those facts and experiences stored up in our brains need to be combined with the understanding that despite all we know, submitting to God is the only source of true wisdom.
Beyond encouraging graduates with sayings like “Congratulations”, “BRAVO!”, “We knew you could do it!”, “May your degree unlock many doors for you!”, we should be urging them to love, honor, respect and obey the Lord. For then they will have true wisdom—wisdom to apply what they have learned, to live a life pleasing to God, and to become who they were created to be.
Be an encourager!
