Today I picked up my cap and gown for BBC’s graduation ceremony (coming up on May 7). It definitely seemed surreal to think that I’m done with my undergraduate experience. Getting your cap and gown for the second time is a unique experience.
Our 2010 world puts a big emphasis on college education and career success. To a certain extent, this emphasis is very good. Jobs are important and getting harder and harder to come by. Working hard for a college degree and financially investing in one is definitely worthwhile.
But some take this to wrong extremes. Some make the cap and gown their idol. Even on BBC’s campus some students might see the cap and gown as the measure of success in life. True success, however, is not measured by the reception of the cap and gown – symbolizing educational advancement.
More important than merely receiving the cap and gown is the process leading up to the graduation event. Was I honest in my class-work and studies? Did I work hard to learn all I could? Did I love other students like Christ loves me? Was my attitude an attitude of thankfulness? Were my motives in line with my convictions as a disciple of Christ?
The process of the college education is the measure of true success.
Not just graduation itself.