eWell May 13, 2009 (important Location Change Info)

"The Highest Degree" by Robert Mayo

I just returned from my daughter's graduation...her third since high school. Lots of thoughts went through my mind as I proudly pondered her achievements. Lots of questions, too!

With the uncertain condition of our economy and the employment rosters continuing to shrink every month, what kind of degree is enough to succeed here? How many of our friends at The Well are asking themselves that same question right now as they finish their undergraduate degrees at FSU, FAMU and TCC? Is it time to fill out an application for another college degree program, or is it time to seek a full-time career? These must be tough questions, and I feel for all of those that may be struggling with this decision.

For a "one size fits all" answer, I suggest that a BA will get us as far as we need to go. It will make us successful, and bring us untold riches and long-term benefits. Now that is an opinion that may not sound right at first, so what planet did that come from? Actually, it didn't come from another planet. It came from heaven. The Blood Atonement (BA) degree is a marvelous thing. Through Christ's sacrifice and his shed blood that atoned for all of our sins, we can know true success in life. To receive this degree, there is no tuition, no fees, and no textbooks. There are no papers to write, classes to attend, or finals to take. For us, it is absolutely FREE, prepaid by God. We simply accept it as a gift. No cap, no gown, just a crown. As much as I tolerated college, I like this program so much better.

There is no preparation in our lives at any college or university that can do more for us than what this one degree will do. What does it do for us? The laundry list is very long, but here are a few things it has done for me. It has replaced fear in my life with confidence. When things look dark here, whether it's the economy, my health, or a troubled relationship, my confidence is now in the One who is bigger and more powerful than any force on Earth. He is fully aware of my little problems and fully in control of the situation. It has replaced loneliness in my life with companionship. Sometimes I look around and the house is empty - pretty much all of the time. We call that being alone. Friends say that I should get a dog. Dogs are really fun pals, but Jesus is a true companion that understands everything I say and everything I think. He's wide awake at all times, ready to listen whenever I want to open up. He is a "friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). With all due respect to the Friends of Fido, Jesus doesn't have to be let out at night to pee. It has replaced iniquity in my life with infinity. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life" (Romans 6:23). The death sentence for my sins has been overturned. I have been acquitted by the highest court, because Jesus took the punishment on my behalf. Now life will have no end, and that's an extremely long time.

This will not satisfy any of the questions that we may have about where and how far to go academically, but it's thrilling to know that there is a degree that we can frame in our heart today and forever. While many of us make these difficult choices about tomorrow, let's not forget that we have already been granted the highest degree.