Speeches
All Things are Possible with God; A Welcome Back Forum with the Cordons
To celebrate a new year and new semester, the Southern Virginia campus community gathered in the Knight Area on Jan. 17 for a Welcome Back forum with President Bonnie H. Cordon and Derek Cordon, who spoke on how relying on God is the key to finding success.
Similar to how there are keys to a successful game in sports, Derek suggested that one key to a successful semester is playing as a team. He reminded students that not only do they have the support of their mentors, professors, and coaches during their time on campus, but also God. He also invited the students to reach out to individuals in need and to include new students on campus.
“Who wouldn’t want God on your team? This is the God of the universe. He knows all,” said Derek. “If you include God when you’re trying to learn calculus or biology or while making the biggest decisions of your lives, I guarantee you’ll make good decisions.”
“I testify that as you go and do the simple things, include God in your life, say your prayers, and reach out and do something simple for someone else, this semester will be the richest semester you’ve ever had, and you’ll have great success,” Derek continued.
Sharing an image of a man painting a bird while looking at an egg, President Cordon testified that God knows each student’s divine potential, much like the painter who could see what the egg could become.
“Sometimes we see ourselves much like this picture. We know we’re this egg, and we know we’ve got something inside ourselves that will be grand,” President Cordon said. “But I love that this man can actually look at the egg and know all the details of the grandeur of that bird.”
President Cordon emphasized that nothing is impossible with God. Sharing the story of Moses parting the Red Sea, she explained that God often provides ways for individuals to take action and participate in the miracle process.
“The Lord used Moses’s rod and arms and said, ‘Moses, pick up your rod, point it at the Red Sea, and then I will part it.’ God wanted him to be part of the miracle,” said President Cordon. “God requires effort from us, not because He needs it, but because He wants us to be part of the process.”
“God isn’t about making our lives easy. He is about us growing, and He’s more interested in our becoming than our comfort,” President Cordon continued. “And through that growth, He shapes us into the people we are meant to become.”
The forum featured Accolade’s musical performance of “We Built This City” and ended with the traditional singing of “Love One Another.”