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JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 11, 2021 — Reggie Thomas, a 1985 Union graduate and president of PeakePotential, encouraged Union University’s 244 graduates to finish strong in life’s spiritual marathon. Thomas delivered the commencement address during Union’s fall commencement ceremony Dec. 11 at West Jackson Baptist Church.

As an avid runner who has competed in over 35 marathons across the nation, Thomas compared each phase of living life on mission for Christ to running a marathon. For each graduate, this moment marked the first phase of excitement in their race, but Thomas reminded them with new beginnings also comes uncertainty and fear. Thomas encouraged each graduate to reflect on the training and preparation God has used to equip them in the unknown that lies ahead.

“God has used every experience of your life — positive and negative — to prepare you for what he has called you to do,” Thomas said.

Once a runner crosses mile 13 in a marathon, Thomas said they often face disillusionment in anticipating the next 13 miles ahead. Like a runner must rely on his or her mental training in this phase, Christians must refocus their attention and perspective on the true mission God is calling each graduate to pursue.

Thomas referred to miles 18 to 23 in a marathon as “hitting the wall.” As a runner’s body starts to experience deprivation from nutrients, Thomas encouraged graduates to remember the importance of spiritual replenishment in God’s word and prayer.

Finally, as a runner sees the last few miles ahead, Thomas said this marks the most exciting phase of a marathon. As crowds cheer for the runners crossing the finish line, Christians must rely on a community of believers to encourage one another to finish the race. He said one of the most tragic parts of running is seeing those who begin the race strong but who are not able to finish strong.

“Make a decision that you are going to finish the race that the Lord has called you to,” Thomas said. “I want to encourage you to run strong, run well, finish strong and finish well.”

For Johnna Wade, who received a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science, she knows her time at Union allowed her to grow tremendously as an individual. She said she would not be the person she is without the caring professors and other members of the Union community who poured into her.

“I don’t think there’s an area of my life that Union won’t touch even after graduation,” Wade said. “Union has been such a crucial part of shaping who I am, and that’s not something you can just leave behind once you get your diploma.”

Wade plans to get married after graduation and hopes to take time to figure out her next ������������ steps. She plans to take an online program for a high school teaching certification, and she hopes to get involved in local government in the future.

Averi Alexander of Murfreesboro, Tenn., said that the Union community pushed her to be the most authentic version of herself and to pursue the future that the Lord has laid out for her, even if it was not her original plan.

“My community at Union has by far been the most transformative part of my time here,” Alexander said. “I’m surrounded by friends who want me to be the best version of myself and faculty who truly want to see me succeed.”

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, Alexander will move to Dallas, where she will attend flight attendant training with Southwest Airlines.

To watch Union’s fall commencement ceremonies, visit .