Actor Denzel Washington, addressing the New Orleans’ Dillard University, tells the graduates to “put God First!”
Then he boldly announced, without regard to complaints by the ACLU, “everything you think you see in me, everything that I’ve accomplished, everything that you think I have—and I have a few things—everything I have is by the grace of God. Understand that. It’s a gift.”
He warmly remembers the time when a Christian prophetess spoke into his life at the exact time when he was feeling dejected and forlorn about life and his future. This prophecy was warmly received by Denzel, and it buoyed his spirits. (Prophecy is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, given to the followers of Jesus.)
“You will travel the world and speak to millions of people,” the prophetess said. And that has been fulfilled, in no small measure to Denzel’s lifelong commitment to “keep God first.”
“I’ve been protected. I’ve been directed. I’ve been corrected. I’ve kept God in my life, and He’s kept me humble…I didn’t always stick with God, but He stuck with me. So stick with Him in everything you do.”
What a wonderful throwback to an earlier time in America when graduation ceremonies were always filled with mention of God as guide and comfort. And what a wonderful testimony of God’s faithfulness in speaking to him at the right time.
Many of you desiring to hear from God may do so by seeking Jesus and asking Him to lead and guide your life; and He will. “My sheep hear My voice,” Jesus says (John 10:27).
