Good morning, everyone!
First, let me express my deepest gratitude to the people who made this day possible: our dedicated teachers and staff, our families who supported us, and, of course, my fellow graduates. Each of you played a role in shaping the journey we’re celebrating today.
As I reflect on our time here, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come. Enter to learn, go forth to serve. This is our school motto. As of today, we’re halfway there to accomplish that. I still remember the first time I walked on campus, asking myself and praying to God: Why am I here? Am I really meant to be here? It’s a simple answer that the Spirit answered for me a long time ago. But it took me years to hear that and understand that: I’m here to be prepared to serve wherever God wants me to be.
A lot of you who know me may remember, I came here as an accounting major, because it seemed like a major where I could find a job easily after graduation. I struggled with this decision for the first three years that I was here because I was also developing a talent and a love for music in Dr. Duerden’s classes. Later on, as I prayed and asked what I want to become in the future, the answer was that I want to help people through music. In China I didn’t have some of the resources to become a saxophone performer and teacher. One of my goals is to make it possible for others to have access to this kind of music education that I was blessed with here at BYU–Hawaii. Before receiving formal saxophone training two semesters ago, I learned most of my saxophone skills online while watching YouTube videos. The formal training in my music classes helped me develop my talent further. I decided to pursue a music degree to show people that with the right resources and dedicated practice, anyone can become an excellent musician.
I was recently extended a job offer that seems to be tailored to my specific skillsets. It is working for a successful saxophone company that was looking for someone who could play the saxophone, do some accounting, manage social media, and speak Chinese. This job seemed tailored to me specifically, as if the Lord knew that I needed all of these skills in my next journey in life. I’ll work for them to keep providing free resources to people who love music and saxophone, especially for people in my home country.
We’re all talented in different ways; throughout the years we have been able to discover that, and now that we’re getting our degrees, it’s time for us to serve more. There are always people that are in need. There are always communities that are trying to be better. There are always new students who are like we once were, confused about their future and not sure which decisions are the right ones. We are the blessed ones, because we have received all kinds of help from the church, because we were influenced by each other's examples of Christlike behaviors.
It’s time for us to use what we have learned and start helping others to come unto Christ. I came from a poor family, and I worried about money a lot. I’m sure almost all of us worry about that too, however we should seek for the kingdom of God before we seek for riches. “After [we] have obtained a hope in Christ [we] shall obtain riches, if we seek them; and [we] will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted. [1]
Let’s use the greatest resources we have right now: friends. Remember each other, make each other great, complete each other, strengthen each other’s faith so we all can be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders in our families, communities, chosen fields, and in building the kingdom of God.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes:
[1] Jacob 2:18-19