[격려사] “길을 잃지 않는 등불, 다시 품는 첫 마음”
사랑하는 졸업생 여러분,
오늘 이 자리는 단순히 학위라는 결과를 얻는 자리가 아닙니다.
하나님께서 여러분을 부르셨던 그 첫 번째 부르심, 그 ‘거룩한 떨림’을 다시 한번 확인하고,
세상이라는 더 큰 사역지로 파송받는 소중한 순간입니다.
졸업은 마침표가 아니라, 하나님과 동행하는 새로운 문을 여는 일입니다.
앞으로 펼쳐질 여러분의 여정에 세 가지만 기억해 주시기를 부탁드립니다.
첫째, ‘사람’이 아닌 ‘주님’을 바라보십시오.
사역의 현장에서는 때때로 평가와 결과에 지칠 때가 있습니다.
하지만 여러분의 수고를 기록하시는 분은 사람이 아니라 하나님이십니다.
여러분이 주님께 집중하는 한, 어떤 환경에서도 길을 잃지 않을 것입니다.
“사람을 기쁘게 하랴, 하나님을 기쁘게 하랴”라는 사도 바울의 고백이 여러분의 중심이 되길 바랍니다.
둘째, ‘성공’이 아닌 ‘성실’로 응답하십시오.
세상은 결과의 화려함을 묻지만, 하나님은 과정의 진실함을 물으십니다.
작고 이름 없는 자리라 할지라도, 그곳이 하나님께서 보내신 곳이라면 성실히 헌신하십시오.
여러분의 그 작은 성실함이 하나님의 나라를 세우는 가장 튼튼한 주춧돌이 될 것입니다.
셋째, ‘첫 사랑’을 잊지 마십시오.
신학교에 처음 들어왔을 때, 하나님을 향해 가졌던 그 뜨거운 눈물과 결단을 기억하십시오.
사역이 익숙해질수록 그 첫 마음이 무뎌질 위험이 있습니다.
지치고 힘들 때마다 오늘 졸업식에서 다짐했던 그 마음의 등불을 다시 켜십시오.
하나님은 여러분의 실력보다, 하나님을 향한 그 순전한 마음을 더 기뻐하십니다.
여러분은 혼자가 아닙니다.
여러분을 부르신 하나님께서 끝까지 여러분과 동행하실 것입니다.
이제 나아가십시오.
세상이 줄 수 없는 평안과 기쁨으로, 맡겨진 영혼들을 돌보는 귀한 사역자가 되기를 마음 다해 축복하고 응원합니다.
다시 한번 졸업을 축하드립니다.
[Words of Encouragement]
"A Lamp That Never Loses Its Way, Reclaiming Your First Heart"
Dear beloved graduates, today is not merely a place to celebrate the achievement of a degree.
It is a precious moment to reaffirm that very first calling—that 'holy trembling' with which God called you—and to be commissioned into the wider mission field of the world.
Graduation is not a period; it is the opening of a new door to walk with God.
As you embark on the journey ahead, I ask you to keep just three things in mind.
First, look to the 'Lord,' not to 'man.'
In the field of ministry, you will sometimes grow weary of evaluations and outcomes.
However, the One who records your labor is God, not man.
As long as you focus on the Lord, you will never lose your way in any environment.
I pray that the confession of the Apostle Paul, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” becomes the center of your heart.
Second, respond with 'faithfulness,' not 'success.'
The world asks for the splendor of results, but God asks for the truth of the process.
Even if it is a small and nameless place, if it is where God has sent you, dedicate yourself faithfully.
Your small faithfulness will become the firmest cornerstone in building the Kingdom of God.
Third, do not forget your 'first love.'
Remember the hot tears and determination you had for God when you first entered seminary.
As ministry becomes familiar, there is a danger that your first heart may grow dull.
Whenever you are weary and exhausted, relight the lamp of that heart you pledged at today's graduation.
God delights more in your pure heart toward Him than in your abilities.
You are not alone.
The God who called you will walk with you to the very end.
Now, go forth. With all my heart, I bless and support you as you become precious ministers who care for the souls entrusted to you with a peace and joy that the world cannot give.
Once again, congratulations on your graduation.
[ಪ್ರೋತ್ಸಾಹದ ನುಡಿಗಳು] “ದಾರಿ ತಪ್ಪದ ದೀಪ, ಮತ್ತೆ ಚಿಗುರಲಿ ಮೊದಲ ಪ್ರೀತಿ”
ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ಪದವೀಧರರೇ, ಇಂದು ನೀವು ಕೇವಲ ಒಂದು ಪದವಿಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಕ್ಷಣವಲ್ಲ, ಬದಲಾಗಿ ದೇವರು ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಕರೆದ ಆ ಮೊದಲ ‘ಪವಿತ್ರ ಕರೆ’ಯನ್ನು ಪುನಃ ದೃಢಪಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾ, ಸಮಾಜವೆಂಬ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಕಳುಹಿಸಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ಮಹತ್ವದ ಕ್ಷಣವಾಗಿದೆ.
ಪದವಿ ಎಂದರೆ ಮುಕ್ತಾಯವಲ್ಲ, ಅದು ದೇವರೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಡೆಯುವ ಹೊಸ ಪಯಣದ ಆರಂಭ.
ಮುಂದೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದಿರುವ ಹಾದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಮೂರು ಸಂಗತಿಗಳನ್ನು ನೆನಪಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳಿ:
ಮೊದಲನೆಯದಾಗಿ, ಜನರನ್ನಲ್ಲ, ‘ಕರ್ತನನ್ನು’ ನೋಡಿರಿ.
ಸೇವೆಯ ಹಾದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವೊಮ್ಮೆ ಫಲಿತಾಂಶಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಚಿಂತಿತರಾಗಬಹುದು.
ಆದರೆ, ನಿಮ್ಮ ಶ್ರಮವನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸುವವರು ಮನುಷ್ಯರಲ್ಲ, ದೇವರು. ನೀವು ಕರ್ತನ ಕಡೆಗೆ ದೃಷ್ಟಿ ಇರಿಸಿದವರೆಗೂ, ಎಂತಹ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲೂ ನೀವು ದಾರಿ ತಪ್ಪುವುದಿಲ್ಲ.
ಎರಡನೆಯದಾಗಿ, ‘ಯಶಸ್ಸಿಗಿಂತ’ ‘ನಿಷ್ಠೆಗೆ’ ಆದ್ಯತೆ ನೀಡಿರಿ.
ಜಗತ್ತು ಫಲಿತಾಂಶವನ್ನು ಕೇಳುತ್ತದೆ, ಆದರೆ ದೇವರು ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಯ ಸತ್ಯತೆಯನ್ನು ಕೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ.
ಅದು ಎಷ್ಟೇ ಚಿಕ್ಕದಾದ ಸ್ಥಳವಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ, ದೇವರು ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಕಳುಹಿಸಿದ ಸ್ಥಳವಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಷ್ಠೆಯಿಂದ ಸೇವೆ ಮಾಡಿರಿ.
ನಿಮ್ಮ ಆ ಸಣ್ಣ ನಿಷ್ಠೆಯೇ ದೇವರ ರಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕಟ್ಟುವ ಅಡಿಪಾಯವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.
ಮೂರನೆಯದಾಗಿ, ನಿಮ್ಮ ‘ಮೊದಲ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯನ್ನು’ ಮರೆಯದಿರಿ.
ದೇವವೇದ ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಸೇರಿದಾಗ ದೇವರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಆ ಮೊದಲ ಪ್ರೀತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಸಮರ್ಪಣೆಯನ್ನು ನೆನಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ.
ಸೇವೆ ಮಾಡುವಾಗ ಆ ಉತ್ಸಾಹ ಕಡಿಮೆಯಾಗದಂತೆ ನೋಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ.
ನೀವು ದಣಿದಾಗಲೆಲ್ಲಾ, ಇಂದಿನ ಈ ಪದವಿ ಪ್ರದಾನ ಸಮಾರಂಭದ ನಿಷ್ಠೆಯನ್ನು ಮತ್ತೆ ಜ್ವಲಂತಗೊಳಿಸಿರಿ.
ನೀವು ಒಬ್ಬರೇ ಅಲ್ಲ, ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಕರೆದ ದೇವರು ನಿಮ್ಮೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸದಾ ಇರುತ್ತಾರೆ.
ಧೈರ್ಯದಿಂದ ಮುನ್ನಡೆಯಿರಿ.
ದೇವರು ನಿಮಗೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿರುವ ಆ ಮಹತ್ತರವಾದ ಸೇವೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೀವು ಯಶಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಕಾಣಲಿ ಎಂದು ನಾನು ಮನಃಪೂರ್ವಕವಾಗಿ ಹಾರೈಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.
ನಿಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಪದವಿಯ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು!