Think Towel
On Wednesday afternoon, May 16, we registered new seminary students who will begin in August. I always look forward to meeting them, and one of my responsibilities is to welcome them to the seminary. Here is what I will share with them:
A few days before that afternoon, Saturday, May 11 to be exact, we had commencement service for our graduating seminarians. It is always a day of celebration. It is, what one of my colleagues called, “Payday!” On Friday, the day before, I was indeed paid a portion of my salary. But my real salary is the students who go out from this community to serve Jesus.
On commencement day we presented them with a diploma, a master’s hood, and a towel with the seminary logo on it. As we welcome you to the seminary, I want to share with you some guiding words made popular by Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
As you begin this relationship with our seminary, please begin with the end in mind. At least one end. Begin thinking about your commencement day. I have attended approximately thirty commencement services for our students, and that means I have heard approximately thirty commencement sermons or wannabe sermons. With due respect towards all of the preachers, only one stands out. It was preached by Bill Remond, one of our alums and a former congressman from New Mexico. At the end of his sermon he said: “Now these three remain, the diploma, the hood, and the towel. And the greatest of these is the towel.”
As you begin think about the end. And think about everything in between. Wed study and service. What God has brought together, let no one separate.
Begin with the end in mind.
Think towel.
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