• Dr. Garland’s Commencement advice exemplifies the need for Christian universities

    Dr. David Garland

    Baylor posted President Garland’s Summer 2016 Commencement address online earlier this week, and if you haven’t heard it yet, I encourage you to check it out. (Watch the video or read the complete transcript here.)

    In his speech, Dr. Garland gives an excellent explanation of what excellence looks like in a Christian context, and particularly at a Christian university. Yes, Baylor is committed to excellence in all areas — academics, research, teaching, athletics, etc. — but, as Dr. Garland notes, that’s not where our greatness is to be found. Our greatness lies in our people — the students, faculty, staff and alumni who make up the Baylor family.

    Moreover, because we are imperfect people, we will have failings. So when the Apostle Paul talks about running the race, he’s not talking about running to win at the expense of all those who lose. “You do not have to be the winner to be a winner,” Dr. Garland notes.

    Then he ends with this, which I think exemplifies why Christian colleges and universities are so important. These aren’t words you’ll hear at any other sort of school:

    “At commencement, it’s traditional for commencement speakers to offer advice – bromides that are thrown out so you can play a game of ‘commencement bingo’ when they say those magic phrases.

    “For example, they’ll say, ‘Be your own person.’ Well I’d like to revise that, because we are all fallen creatures. I would say instead, ‘Strive to be more like Jesus.’

    “They tell you to ‘Follow your own dreams.’ I would say ‘Follow God,’ and I promise you that God will take you to places and to persons you’ve never dreamed.

    “They tell you to ‘Make your own story.’ I would say ‘Become a part of God’s story,’ because I promise you it’s gonna end better in the long run.

    “They will tell you, when you fail, as we all do – when you fall – institutions, individuals, the commencement advice is ‘Get up, dust yourself off, and move on.’ But I would say that you need someone greater than you to pick you up. You need someone greater than you to dust you off. You need need someone greater than you who will take you through the times of failure. You need someone greater than you who will take you through the times of embarrassment that are flashed across the airwaves. You need someone greater than you to take you through the times when death hits you in the gut. You need someone greater than you to lift you up and get back in the race and move on. You need someone greater than you to tell you that there are some races in life that are not worth running. You need someone greater than you to guide you on the right path.”

    Incredible words that I will certainly be contemplating for some time, and felt worthy of sharing.

    Sic ’em, Bears!