Students,
What an amazing experience this semester has been.
Until the end of 2016, Kathy and I had absolutely no idea that we would be here in Guam this semester. Teaching, speaking in chapel, working with other administrators, faculty and staff have been great experiences. By far, however, the most rewarding part of my time as IP has been working with students, watching you grow and overcome obstacles.
Let me take a moment and remind you of a chapel message I was privileged to share with you. Remember Jonathan and his armor bearer, 1 Samuel 14? Jonathan set out on a daring--many would say foolish--mission. He knew there were no guarantees, "Perhaps," v. 6. He went out counting on a powerful truth, "Nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” (v. 6) We might disagree with Jonathan's plan. In fact, let me be clear; if one of you comes to me with a plan as risky as Jonathan's, I'll do what I can to talk you out of it. I do like one thing about his plan, though. He was driven by the conviction that somebody needed to do something. He decided that somebody was him.
Whether you are graduating from PIU, or just completing your first semester, you have received a valuable gift. I suspect that you see your world differently than you did when you first enrolled at PIU. I hope that you know something needs to be done--really a whole bunch of somethings.
That's where we often get hung up, isn't it?
There is so much to be done. How can I possibly make a difference?
Here is how:
- Look at who you are and at what has been entrusted to you.
- Look around and ask what can I do?
- Don't limit yourself by the little circle that marks your comfort-zone. I'm not encouraging you to climb a cliff to pick a fight with a well-armed army, but I am saying that you are likely capable of more than you realize.
- Do something!
I'm looking forward to hearing about victories won, problems overcome, and people influenced for the cause of Christ.
Perhaps,
In the power of Christ,
God will do something great in and through you.
It's worth a try.
| 
nds, but when you get that better grade or, for some of you, when you get that diploma, you'll be glad you did.
