"i invite YOU in": UP on STAGE

Truly it was a great honor to be invited--by the graduating seniors and the Administration of Atlantic Christian School--to be their 2015 commencement speaker. As I took the stage, I knew there were probably a lot of people who were wondering who I was and why was I up on stage with the honorary participants of the night.So I begin, “And in case you are wondering ‘who I am’ and ‘why am I up here?’ Well, please allow me to join you in that question….(dramatic pause)….but please also allow me to humbly propose to you, the answer: But by the grace of God I am what I am. And His grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. And it’s with that grace that I stand before you today……”I really was blown away to be up on stage at a graduation ceremony as the keynote speaker. You see, at this time last year I was still in prison. Anxiously awaiting my own type of graduation from a very unique education. I call it the University of Adversity.  And trust me, the only “keynote speaker” from that place is the key that locks the gate and the note in your file that speaks your charge. So to be where I am today can only be explained by God redeeming my every way. I can take no credit for the portrait that is presently in view. God picked up the broken pieces and reconfigured them into something entirely brand new.We break things. God re-makes things.I wanted to originally share my speech, so that people can share it with their loved ones who are graduating, but I will save those consequential truths for Monday’s blog.  As for the rest of this blog, I just wanted to make it known that God is faithful, even when we are faithless. He is gracious, even when we are disgraceful. He loves us in spite of us. And it is my prayer that my life alone would be evidence enough that God NEVER gives up on His children, and therefore, we should never give up on Him. He has a plan at work even when we can’t see it working.  He knows our every triumph and trouble, and He trusts us with both extremes and everywhere in between that we may glorify Him through it all.He desires to make much of Himself through us. Will you let Him? Whether with your trouble or with your treasure, please know that victory comes by way of surrender!To be continued…..