“Putting on the uniform never gets old.” Those were the words of the new Manager of the Fort Worth Cats minor league baseball team, but with an adjustment or two, they could have been my words. I feel that way about my academic regalia. Long ago I lost count of the graduations and convocations in which I marched in my cap and gown. On those occasions, my attention was often drawn to the back of the line where walked the retired professors, those who had given their lives to the training of the called-out ones, my academic heroes, men and women, “of whom the world was not worthy.” (Hebrews 11:38). I remember thinking, “the last will be first.”(Matthew 20:16). I also remember thinking how honored I would someday be to walk at the back of the line, retired, accomplished, proud. But times change and traditions die. Once retired, I was never once asked to walk in graduation or convocation again. It’s OK! There is a great line in an old spiritual that says, “All of God’s chillun got a robe.” My reservation is secure in a place where time never overrules tradition; my eternal robe has been fitted; my place in line has been assigned. Someday, I’ll put on the heavenly uniform (celestial cap and gown) and it will never, ever get old again, even if I’m at the back of the line.
Read more from Dr. Dan Crawford at www.discipleallnations.org/blog.
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