Beginning at the End

Ever wonder why universities call their graduations "commencements?" Why is it that the very last ceremony, the very last thing you do at college is called "the beginning?" To commence is to rise, to start, its an origin, not a conclusion.
This morning, some 40-odd men of my church, my community, reached the end of our year-long quest for authentic manhood through Men's Fraternity. We've met at 6am on Thursday mornings since last August and we reached our end this morning. We turned in our final exams (aka: manhood plans) and had our final session and discussion and all that remains is graduation. But as we sat there this morning, we all understood that notion of "commencement." That as we go thru our "graduation" ceremony next week it isn't so much about being at the end, but really it is about commencing with our authentic manhoods, with a plan, a map as to where we intend to go. The year long journey wasn't about finding the end, crossing a finish line, winning a race, but rather was about finding an authentic beginning, preparing for the start, conditioning for the journey that lies ahead of us. I think most of us are prepared to begin afresh as authentic men of God. Men who reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously and seek the greater reward that only God provides.
I am ready. My brothers are ready. Let the journey begin and we all look forward to getting back together in the fall for another year of building each other up and hopefully doubling or tripling the number of men we get to join us. Let authentic manhood commence. Let my life be what I do, not what happens to me.
I pray God will equip and bless all of my brothers as they begin their journeys with plan in hand.
Just as David charged Solomon, we are all charged to "be strong, show [ourselves as men] and observe what the LORD [our] God requires: Walk in his ways...so that [we] may prosper in all [we] do and wherever [we] go" ~ 1 Kings 2:2-3 (NIV)