The Kingdom of Kmart

This address was given to the graduating class of 2011.  I really enjoyed reading it!  I hope you do too!!!

The Kingdom of Kmart
Burton Webb
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Northwest Nazarene University
Commencement Address
Saturday, May 7, 2011

Good afternoon everyone. I count it a deep honor and privilege to address the graduating class of 2011, their families and friends, and our NNU community. As near as I can tell this is the 40th commencement address that I have had to endure… but the first time I have listened to it in the first person.

When David was seven years old, his father took him to Kmart for his birthday. They had been to Kmart several times and David was as familiar with the store as any seven-year-old could be. He knew there were tools and towels there, and shoes, and jeans – but most of all, he knew the toy section. Six aisles, full of the toys that every little boy on his way to manhood dreams of. GI Joe and Star Wars action figures, trading cards, games and puzzles, all the accouterments of imagination for a seven-year-old.

But today was different. There was a party later with cake and ice cream and friends who would sleep over in the tent in the back yard. David’s mom had it all planned out. A great party for a terrific little boy.

But, as I said, today was different, really different. It was just David and his dad – going to Kmart for some last minute supplies – paper plates, paper napkins, and party favors. Mom had sent a list.

As they walked into the store Dad stopped and picked up his son. Holding him close, he held David up near his own face and the two surveyed the vastness that is a modern Kmart. somewhere in the automotive section a blue light flashed (that was for you “older folks” – it predates most of our graduates).

“David” his father said, “Today is a special day.”

“I know,” David replied, “It’s my birthday.”

“That’s right,” his father said. “You know that you will have a party and get presents later tonight, but I wanted to do something extra special for you because you’re my son. Take a good look at the store, David. Today, just today, we are going to walk around this store and I will buy you anything you want. Do you understand that? Anything.”

David’s eyes grew wide. “Anything?”

“Yep, anything you want.”

“Wow…”

For the next 30 minutes or so David wandered around looking at things in the aisles of Kmart. Toys, books, skateboards, everything. His dad followed him around, but didn’t offer any assistance or commentary on what David picked up.

Finally, David settled on something. “I want this dad,” he said, holding up the thing that he wanted most – at least on that day.

His father took the thing. About the size of a small briefcase, his son had picked out a carrier for his growing collection of cassette tapes; something to protect his music… a very adult choice for a seven-year-old. The two completed their shopping, made their purchases, and left the store – one very happy and the other totally bemused.

David made his choice; he picked the best thing he could find. Something that would keep his possessions safe and provide for his immediate needs. Strange as his choice might have sounded to anyone else, it made perfect sense to him and he left the store as happy as any little boy could be.

That story took place many years ago – David is now a grown man with children of his own.

The reason I find this story so compelling and the reason I have chosen to tell it to you, today, on the day you graduate from college is – of course – the rest of the story.

What David didn’t know, indeed, what his seven year-old mind couldn’t possibly conceive, is this. The previous day, his father had made a trip to the bank to accomplish a couple of transactions. That morning in Kmart, David’s father had $1000 in cash in one pocket and a checkbook with another couple of thousand ready for use in the bank. When he told his son that he could have anything in Kmart – he meant it. And he had the resources to back it up.

The parallel I am about to draw is as obvious as it could be: For the last four years you have been wandering around (please forgive me, faculty) Kmart. OK, maybe it’s more like Nordstrom, but the metaphor still works. You have been picking up various things that temporarily grab your attention… history, biology, theology, whatever. None of these things is bad; in fact each can be put to terrific use.

History gives you intellectual context for almost every interaction you see on the news. The better you understand the history of a place like Afghanistan the more equipped you will be to navigate the dangerous waters of international policy and politics. Knowing the struggle for civil rights that occurred in the 20th century will inform your responses to the politics of immigration today.

In biology you learn to appreciate the created order. You come to understand that all things are inter-related. Chemical interactions in cells, DNA, and the far-reaching interactions in the brain affect everything we perceive. Through biology we understand how the human body works, we know what illness looks like and can devise treatments to alleviate pain and cure hundreds of diseases. In fact, our human perception and understanding of the world is, at its very essence, biochemical!

Through theology we get a sense of who God is. How we, biochemical-sensing locked into the flow of time creatures, might relate to an infinite being so vast we cannot possibly comprehend him. We begin to grasp fleeting images of his nature and character in the person of Jesus; but even that knowledge is somewhat fractured by cultural distance and eons of time. Even with the dissonance, we know that God loves us, came to us in Jesus, and abides with us as the Holy Spirit. Through theology we come to realize that God is father, brother, and comforter to all who are in need. To all who ask.

Of course I have only highlighted a few of the many things to learn – toys and tools to play with and use – from the intellectual storehouse that IS NNU. Even better, the world is so much bigger than NNU! I’m sure you know by now that other intellectual stores exist too! Many of you will be heading off to graduate school in Medicine, Law, and Business. These are the specialty stores where you can acquire specialized knowledge. Whether you pursue additional formal education or not, please do not stop learning. Continue to expand your understanding of the world around you by reading, traveling, and interacting with people who are different from you. Should your pursuit of life-long learning draw you back to NNU, we will do our best be ready.

So now you stand in the checkout line and very soon you will walk past the register (registrar) and shake the hand of the president of the company (university). He will hand you your purchase – that prized possession for which you have looked and worked for so long. Soon, you will hold in your hands the educational certification of your ability to protect your things, to make your way in the world, to earn a better living.

Before you go – stop and take another look around. Standing somewhere behind you is your heavenly Father. He’s not interfering, not telling you what to buy or which aisle to walk down. Close your eyes – can you see Him? He’s standing over there with a bemused grin on His face, hands in His pockets.

I can’t help but wonder what is going through His mind.

“Good choice”

“I can see why you picked that.”

“Well done.”

“Are you serious?”

“What in the world is going through your mind, that’s crazy!”

But He lets you choose, because perfect love demands freedom. All the while, He’s holding something. There’s something in His pocket that you can’t see – in your wildest imagination you cannot (I cannot) begin to comprehend what He has; but it’s so much better than what you have in your hand.

I know what you’re thinking… He has $1000 in his hand!!! I get to go back into Kmart and get what He wants me to get!!! No!!! That’s not it. That’s a human metaphor and it’s where the story breaks down.

What He holds in His hand is more amazing than that!

It’s nothing!!!!

Remember the scripture – Matthew 16…

When you lose your life, you will find it.

For what would it profit a man if he gained the whole world, but lost his soul? What can you offer in exchange for a soul?

He offers the upside down gospel of another world that doesn’t make any sense in this one – probably doesn’t make any sense now – but it might, in a few years. When you completely lose yourself into the service of others, then you will find yourself standing in the parking lot with your arms full, wondering how you got there! Who paid for all this stuff!

That’s the upside-down liturgy of the other world. To receive, you give… it’s not about the latest gadget, the newest car, or the biggest house. None of those things are bad, they are just not the priority.

This world has it backwards – work hard, work long, be smart, make it to the top, pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. The other world says, serve others, lose your life in helping those around you, take care of widows and orphans, and feed the hungry. Then, you will lay up for yourselves the treasure of heaven that transcends this world...

But wait, there’s more…

In His other hand, He holds something of this life. Not necessarily a life of riches or celebrity – though those might happen. Not a life of power and influence – though those are not bad things in and of themselves. Instead, He holds unspeakable joy, insatiable curiosity, and peace that completely outwits and outlasts human understanding. He offers the Kingdom of God, brought down to the Kingdom of earth. All you need to do is ask and obey.

Imagine what would happen if his father took David into Kmart now… How would David act, what would he do?

Now – David really understands the vastness of Kmart… and he knows that his father has the ability to buy him ANYTHING!

How would David act, how will you act?