We pastors don’t get together and plan out what we’re going to write about. And what we write isn’t printed until the following week. 

So perhaps someone has already written about graduation. Or perhaps next week’s writer is still planning to write about graduation. 

But as I’ve been busily working on my Baccalaureate address, it’s what’s on my mind and heart. 

At Juda’s Baccalaureate, I’m going to share with them the story of a walking tour in the Alps. But you’re going to get my real-life story instead. 

My husband and I for our 30th wedding anniversary decided to climb to Machu Picchu in Peru — a four-day hiking adventure. We prepared as much physically as we could. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve been in such good physical condition since high school. We looked at all the numbers regarding distance and thought we’d have no problems. Yet, the one thing that I wasn’t prepared for was the effect of altitude on my asthma. I started off with all the hopes and dreams. Yet, after the first day, came back down the mountain on the back of a horse. My husband continued on. 

I’m going to interject another story here. It is the story of Jesus walking on the water (you can find this in Matthew 14). We’re going to look at it a little differently, though. Instead of looking at what Jesus did or digging into what Peter did, think instead about what the other folks in the boat did (or didn’t) do. 

As I hear this story and think of Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on the water with Jesus, I hear echoes of my Machu Picchu story too. I’m guessing that when Peter asks Jesus to call him out on the water, he almost immediately slaps his hand over his mouth. What was I thinking?! Yet, when Jesus tells him to “come,” Peter goes. And when he does? The rewards are unbelievable! Now as they head back into land and prepare breakfast, I can see the other disciples realizing that they had missed out on something major. 

They must have been wondering why they too didn’t step out of the boat! 

You’re probably wondering what this all has to do with graduation. 

Patience, Padawan! I still need to finish the Machu Picchu story. 

I ended up taking the train up to the ruins to meet the rest of the group on the fourth day. The day we spent at Machu Picchu was perceived very differently. For me, it was a reminder of the failure to do what I’d planned. For the rest of the group, tired as they were, it was a pinnacle moment! They had struggled and persevered … and they had reached (literally) the mountaintop. 

I feel like I can relate to the disciples who stayed in the boat. 

Some of the things that are most meaningful in life just aren’t easy to achieve. Sometimes you have to climb that mountain step by step to reach the peak. Quitting too early might mean you don’t reach the heights you are meant to achieve. It might mean that you’re always going to wonder what might have been. 

Graduates, as you plan for your futures, dream big! Take opportunities that are going to challenge you. You only get one chance at life! I’m not telling you that you should all try to become doctors and high-powered stockbrokers. Dream your own dreams. What’s important to you? Listen for the plans that God has for you. God’s blessings on your journey!

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Kelly Jahn is pastor of the Juda Zion and Oakley Union United Methodist Churches.