To Graduates: “Don’t become the star of your own reality show.”

To Graduates: “Don’t become the star of your own reality show.”

CIU College of Education Graduates

December commencement takes on a Christmas flair for graduates of the College of Education and their professor.

Before heading out into the world with their degrees, Columbia International University December graduates were warned about a world filled with self-absorption.

The warning came from commencement speaker Crawford Loritts, a nationally-known author, broadcaster and senior pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, Georgia.

“Be careful that you don’t become the star of your own reality show,” Loritts told the graduates. “Facebook ‘Likes’ and Twitter followers and Instagram followers are not a measure of your worth and value,” Loritts said before turning to the Scriptures. “And remember the words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians chapter two, verse 20:

‘I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.’

The only statement, the only statement, the only statement, the only statement that is enduring for my life is the statement that puts the spotlight on the Lord Jesus in everything that I say and do," Loritts emphasized.

Nearly 100 graduates were awarded bachelor degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees at the mid-school year commencement exercises held in Shortess Chapel on the CIU main campus.

Loritts also challenged the graduates to stare down their fears.

"Don’t play it safe,” Loritts told the graduates. “Your ability to trust God will determine the impact of your life and ministry,” he concluded. 

Hear the complete commencement address at CIU's podcast page or see it on Vimeo. See photos from the event on CIU's Flickr page.