As many of us come to the end of our college journey, we are more confused about our place in the real world than we were at 8 years old. As we slaved away through grade school, we were given some kind of memento or certificate of completion that permitted us to enter the next phase of our education. All of these affirmations along the way were simply mile markers directing us the final destination: a college diploma. Over the course of our education our peers, teacher, and parents encouraged us to "dream big" and "never give up," and eventually we would get there. Every parent dreams of their child achieving that coveted university diploma, signifying total completion and accomplishment of their child’s dreams or whatnot.
I always liked the idea of receiving a college diploma, because it signified some sort of completion and success in my educational endeavors. It was finally the end of something that leads to a brand new beginning. I also always looked forward to the day I walked across that stage, diploma in hand. I guess I imagined that graduation day would finally be a day for me to prove to my family, friends, and community that I had made something of myself. That little piece of paper would finally tell the world that I had become someone -- I was worth something. Yet, here I am 3 weeks from receiving that diploma, more convinced than ever that my college diploma is nothing more than an expensive piece of paper with my name on it. It's really just full of empty validation.
I never realized how much validation I had been seeking from a college diploma, and how much pressure there was from professors, parents and culture to place my identity in the degree I received. Why is this one so different? All of the other pieces of paper I had received were notes of encouragement to keep going, so why is the message of this one so different? I expected to graduate college with a degree, but I never thought that so much myself would believe that I would only amount to the degree on my diploma, or believe that my career path/life after college would be a reflection of those efforts. But, as the day approaches for me to put on my overpriced cap and gown, to attend a long, boring ceremony and receive a $150 diploma, (really college, as if you haven’t already taken enough of my money), it is more evident to me than ever that my identity is so much more than my degree.
I am not my degree. I am not my degree. I am not my degree. And maybe I never will be.
This idea that my life, my path if you will, is determined solely on the basis of what college I graduated from is ridiculous, but often so easy to believe. Then I remember what God says about me. He tells me that I am a child of God, not a degree on a piece of paper. He tells me that my worth is not that of the world, but is rooted in His blood. Amen? At the end of the day, when I walk the stage and take my diploma I know that I am not just a degree -- I am so much more than that. I may never use my degree the way I had always planned, and if my plans fail, the Lord's will prevail.
