On Top of the World

It was May 28, 1970.  I sat with about 340 young men and women in metal chairs on the gym floor looking at our teachers on the platform and parents in the stands as we shouted triumphantly; “We’re The Best at S.D. Lee, The Mighty Class of 70!”  We were seniors, graduating from high school and we thought we were ON TOP OF THE WORLD!  We didn’t know what the future held but I will never forget that feeling of exhilaration knowing that I had made it!  I remember driving around town later just smiling and waving at everyone I saw.  One of the joys of growing up in a small town is that you know most of the people you see.  I had a huge grin that screamed; “I am a senior and I am ON TOP OF THE WORLD!”

50 years later I have arrived at the place Mark Twain supposedly described (when in doubt you can always credit Mark Twain with any quote) as ‘remembering things that never happened’.  For my 40^th reunion, we were asked to submit high school memories for a booklet.  I wrote; “I remember being 6’ 4” and being elected Most Handsome, Wittiest, Most Likely to Succeed, Captain of the Football & Basketball team, Valedictorian and Mr. Lee High.  However, I have taken a lot of prescription medication and consumed a number of Diet Dr. Peppers with aspartame over the years so I may have forgotten a thing or two.  Funny, I looked back in the yearbook and they only listed me as Sports Editor.”  It got a laugh but I do have many serious memories that will always be valued.

I remember friends who did not get to celebrate our graduation as their life was cut short.  The first funerals I remember attending were classmates Alan and Bill who died in a tragic car wreck.  I remember Arnold who did not have a car due to his seizure disorder.  He rode a moped to school and we teased him because most of us had never seen a small motorcycle with pedals.  It was no longer funny when he didn’t make it to school one day because he didn’t survive that final major seizure.  There were others I also recall whose lives were shortened not long after graduation.  I will always remember Dobert calling me one Friday afternoon asking if she could ride with me if I was going home from college that weekend.  I told her I was not leaving until Saturday so she decided to drive home in her own car.  The next day when I passed the place on the highway where she was killed in a collision with a carload of students who had too much to drink, the feeling is still difficult to describe.  Ricky and I met on the first day of class in the first grade and remained best friends all through school.  He was probably the most talented and gifted person I have ever known.  He was only 52 when his life ended.  We all have similar memories of friends or family members who left us too soon. 

These memories taught me that life is uncertain, fragile, precious and fleeting.  That lesson is far more important than anything I ever learned in a classroom.  Joe, a good friend and fellow classmate, devised a ‘Roller Coaster’ philosophy of life; “Enjoy the slow climb to the peak because a sudden drop may be waiting.”  Every life truly has a mixture of joy and sorrow.  While there may be times of grief, sorrow and despair there will always be times when we reach a peak and have that feeling of being ON TOP OF THE WORLD!  It may be the time when you walked out of the church for the first time holding hands as husband and wife.  Or it may be the time when you held your new baby.  Whatever the moment may be, every life has moments that we need to savor and remember!

I am constantly amazed at how many people go through life clinging to anger, jealousy, negative memories, thoughts and destructive behavior.  If these years have taught me anything I have learned that life is indeed uncertain.  No matter what age or station of life we may attain our next breath could be our last.  So, why hold on to any negative emotion or action?  If someone has wronged you, forgive them as quickly as possible.  If you have wronged someone, apologize and ask for forgiveness without delay.  Life is too short to hold on to any destructive action, emotion or memory. 

God promised a few things that are certain in life.  He promised that no matter what happens He will never leave or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).  He told me that no matter how I may feel about the way I look or feel (as the shortest boy in class I always wondered what it would be like to be tall), I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).  He also told me that I am precious and honored in His sight, and because He loves me (Isaiah 43:4). 

Now as this member of the ‘Mighty Class of 70’ approaches the age of 70.  I have priceless memories and lessons of life to remind me that every day should be savored.  Every friendship cherished.  Each day I wake (as a senior citizen I now wake before the sun rises) with an early morning exercise ritual.  I do one push-up if I wake on my face and one sit-up if I wake on my back.  Some parts wake slower than others but I treasure the fact that I am awake, alive and here.  Although the day ahead is uncertain and could even be my last, I will make the most of it because God will never leave or forsake me.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I am precious and honored in His sight and He loves me.  Even though I am 50 years removed from that mountain top experience as a graduating high school senior, I still celebrate the gift of life today as I am a now senior (citizen) and I am ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

Whew, That Was Too Close for Comfort

If Mississippi State University graduating students entered the auditorium according to grades with the highest grades first, I would have closed the door behind me.  Anyone with a lower GPA would not be able to graduate.  I have rarely told this story because it is not the type you put on your resume but it is true and I think there are some redeeming truths that can be learned.  So…

I had fun in college.  I was not a ‘party person’.  In fact, if alcohol was involved I was usually the one who stayed sober and took care of others.  I may have been the first designated driver.  However, there seemed to be endless opportunities for sports, games, pranks, or just stupid freshman college behavior in general.  I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do with my life so I majored in accounting, mainly because some of my friends did and I was told that there were good paying jobs in that field.  However, study was not a priority since I was not highly motivated in accounting as a career and, as stated earlier, I would rather play than study.  I was easy prey for any distraction.  Distractions are numerous for a freshman in college so my grades were nothing to write home about.  And I didn’t know that my mid-term grades would be mailed to my home.  My parents, who were paying for my ‘education’, were not impressed with 4 F’s and a C for my first mid-term report.  After a serious meeting with mom and dad I realized I needed to create a more effective study pattern.  I managed to pull up all the grades to a passing average for the end of the semester, but still went on academic probation because my first GPA was below 2 points.  MSU used the ‘four point system’, meaning anything below a 2 point Grade Point Average would not be a passing grade. 

I continued to hover in academic mediocracy for the next 3 years as there were always opportunities for fun or stupid behavior that had nothing to do with study.  I also was drifting because I didn’t really know what to do with my life so a dedicated academic focus on business classes was difficult.  There was always an underlying sense that God was going to call me into the ministry but I was so spiritually naïve and immature that I thought He would speak to me from a burning bush or a voice from Heaven.  So, until that event I would just rock along and enjoy life.  And I did…until my senior year.  I was able to do enough math to realize that my GPA was insufficient to the point that I needed to make the Dean’s List, which meant at least 3.6/4.0 (average of A- and A for all subjects), to qualify for graduation.

For the first time I really began to study…more than just enough to get by.  It paid off as I checked final grades posted for all subjects and there it was; William Harold Drees had made the Dean’s list and would graduate!  I was so overcome with joy that I went back to my dorm and celebrated by tossing all my books out of the eighth floor window of my dorm room, shouting; “I am never going to have to study again!”  Note to self; NEVER SAY, “NEVER”!

The feeling of joy lasted until a few days from graduation when I received a phone call at home from Dr. Rogers, the dean of the school of business.  I didn’t know much, but I knew that this was not normal so something was up.  My first thought was, “Oh man is this is about me throwing all the books out of the window?”  However, he informed me that there had been a mistake in the calculation of my grades and I was two quality points shy of the necessary number required for graduation.  He was apologetic as he stated that there was not much time to make up for the problem and suggested that I consult any professors where a borderline A minus may be boosted to an A to give me the two more points needed for graduation.  If that were not possible I could take a class in the summer.  That didn’t appeal to me.

I looked at my grades and my best shot with a borderline grade to possibly be boosted was in a class with a hard-nosed professor.  He agreed to meet and we sat in his office as I nervously watched him study my grades for the semester.  He looked up and told me that my grades were not close enough to be improved.  Even if he gave me credit for perfect attendance and took my cumulative test scores and used that for a final exam, which I did not take as an exempted member of the Dean’s list, he still did not have enough credits to give me the better grade.  My hopes sank as he sat silently for a few minutes with a contemplative look.  He then leaned forward, looked me in the eye and said, “In all my years of teaching I have never given any student anything that I thought they did not deserve…however, I am going to give you the higher A you need for graduation.”  I wasn’t that familiar with Psalm 145:8 then but that verse encapsulated my feelings; “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.”  This truth would remain prominent for me in my journey into spiritual maturity. 

The Dean told me that since the change was made so near the graduation ceremony that my diploma may not be printed in time.  He told me not to worry, I would receive the folder that contained the diplomas like all the rest of the students, just be careful looking inside and don’t be surprised if it is empty.  It would be mailed to me later.  However, when my name was called and I walked across the stage Dean Rogers handed me the diploma folder and gave me a wink.  I peeked and saw my diploma!  I made it...but, whew, that was too close.  Learn a lesson Bill!!! 

This experience taught me a great deal about life, work and the grace of God.  I became more dedicated to walking closer with God and was able to hear His voice more clearly, without it coming from the clouds or a burning bush.  I would indeed become a better and more focused student in seminary and in my life to follow.  In addition to Psalm 145:8, I later found much comfort in 2 Corinthians 12:9; “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

God showed me that I could enjoy life but I also needed to work more on the things that required seriousness and discipline.  I came to know a God who is rich in mercy and grace that is powerful in overcoming my weaknesses.  All these years later, God still reminds me of His loving grace and mercy and I believe I can see Him saying; “Remember I am gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.  My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…(then I think I see Him smile, nod, wink and say) but, don’t push your luck!”

  

A Lesson in Trust

40 years ago today, I stood on stage in a very large auditorium wearing a black gown and an unusually flat hat with a tassel hanging in my face waiting for my name to be called.  I walked to the center of the stage and shook hands with the president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He smiled and handed me my Master’s Degree.  I smiled back and walked off the stage with the diploma that represented a theological education from the largest protestant seminary in the world at that time.  Who’da thunk it?

Academics were never a priority for me in my youth.  I finished in the bottom third of my class in high school and was dead last in my graduating class in college.  That wild story will be explained on the 46^th anniversary of my college graduation next week.  I was primarily known as a quiet little guy who just wanted to have fun rather than assume the responsibilities and realities of adult life.  I got over being quiet but still hold fiercely to the desire to have as much fun as possible.  However, when I finally figured out and followed God’s plan for my life I learned that being a responsible adult and having fun can both be possible.  In fact, there is nothing more fun than doing what you were placed on this earth to do.  I learned many theological principals In seminary that still guide me today.  However, God taught me a couple of truths that before and outside any classroom attendance.

First, God taught me that if I trusted Him with my life He would take care of my needs.  When I finally realized that God was calling me into the ministry I was guided to Southwestern by reliable friends who knew more about seminaries than me, meaning about all I knew was how to spell the word seminary correctly.  As I investigated I realized that the cost could be an issue.  My parents put me through college, I couldn’t ask them to finance 3-4 years of graduate school.  I also had incurred a few thousand dollars of debt since graduating from college.  I bought a new car and I also had to buy a suitable adult wardrobe for work.  My college attire consisted of Levis and multiple football jerseys.  So I decided to go to seminary after working a while to pay my debts and save some money.  I had a decent job with a company car and decent salary for a recent college graduate.  However, I was wisely advised not to delay and follow God’s leading and trust Him to provide for what He directed in my life.  I swallowed hard, prayed harder, quit my job and headed west to begin the greatest adventure in my life. 

Without going into details, after a year of paying school and living expenses I was also debt free.  No, I did not pledge to a Televangelist and receive a large check in the mail.  I got a job working the graveyard shift at a cabinet plant for minimum wage ($6 an hour then, which was a lesson in spiritual humility for a college grad).  It was low wages but allowed me to work at night, go to class in the mornings, study in the afternoon and grab a nap before going to back to work at night.  I was younger and more energetic in those days.  After my first year when I received my W-2 form God showed me that if I followed Him I could also trust Him to provide what I needed, even when I couldn’t figure out how.  My earned wages amounted to about the same amount of the debt that I had retired that same year.  However, in addition to being able to retire my debt, I had also paid for tuition, books, apartment rent, food and all other living expenses.  I studied accounting in college and the math does not work but somehow God made it happen.  From that time own I realized I could trust Him to provide for my needs if I followed His direction for my life.  For the rest of my career I never asked or worried about salary.  The only issue was deciding whether or not this was where God was leading.  I was never able to afford the yacht or the villa in France for a summer home but He has done OK in providing for me and my family over these years.  Whenever I would begin to worry about finances I would think back to that first year of seminary and be reminded that He would provide if I followed and trusted Him. 

When I began seminary I realized that although I had grown up in church my knowledge of the Bible was still somewhat limited.  A respected pastor once said, “The problem with most church members is that the bump of Bible knowledge on their heads is actually a dent”.  I had heard a lot of sermons and studied Sunday School lessons but had never read the entire Bible.  I was going to be teaching and preaching the Bible so I needed to read it.  I set up a schedule to read it in a few weeks.  It took more than an hour each day, in addition to my classroom study requirements, but I discovered several things that I had never heard in church as well as some things I had heard that were taught incorrectly.  I learned never to trust anything without checking it out for yourself!  That was an important lesson but it’s not the second truth I want to share that I learned outside the classroom, so that one is free! 

In my adventure of Bible reading I learned that God could guide my life far better than I can (DUH!)…again if I trusted my life and works to Him.  While reading Bible for the first time in its entirety several new verses and truths were revealed, however one seemed to express exactly what I needed at that time.  It is funny how clearly God can speak through His written word.  When I read Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established” it seemed that God was telling me personally; “I have an established plan for you that will be revealed as you commit your works to me!’

We never really know what the future holds but I learned that can trust God to provide and guide every step of the way as we commit our life.  As I move closer to the end of my 7^th decade of life I am still amazed at what He has done in, with and through the life of this quiet kid who just wanted to have fun.  So, I learned a lot gaining my Masters of Divinity degree but I also learned that no matter what our stage or vocation in life may be, God will provide and guide as we commit our trust completely in Him!