Commencement

Well, it’s that time of the year again…Graduation! The time has come, or is soon coming, for many to say goodbye to high school –goodbye to teachers and friends, cafeteria lunches, gym classes. Each graduate should feel a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment (and relief) in the completion of one of the most important phases of their life. They have reached the end of an era.

But if this is the end, why do they call it “commencement”? There will be many speeches in the next few weeks about “new beginnings” and “bright futures” and “the first day of the rest of your lives”. As William Shakespeare said, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” (and you thought you would never have to read Shakespeare again!) Ah, the possibilities that lie ahead. This truly is the start of a new life. Full time jobs, a new school, new friends, new subjects, new roommates, having to make new decisions, new responsibilities, (for some even a new state) but for all, new experiences. For those who continue their education, they will enter the world of student loans and financial aid, Greek clubs and intramural activities, laundry (you can’t come home every weekend!) and even cleaning your own bathrooms. Parents will have to relinquish some control and allow their children (now “adults”) to steer their own destinies. Parents and children may not get to see each other or talk to each other as often as they would like – new challenges bring time constraints. (A word to the kids: don’t call often to ask your parents for money. You are in college…they don’t have any!)

Yes, change is at hand. No one likes change…it’s too unfamiliar. Graduates and parents alike will face new challenges; intellectual, financial, social, and especially challenges to their faith. How do we survive the daily attacks on our faith and hold steadfastly to the promises of God? I humbly offer a few suggestions:

1) Pray hard! Why not seek guidance from the Wonderful Counselor? God has promised that He will answer. (Acts 2:42; Colossians 4:2; Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 3:12)

2) Read your Bible daily. There is no better text book for life. You can’t know what the Book says unless you read it. (Hebrews 4:12; Colossians 3:16; Philippians 2:16; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 John 2:5) By the way, take your Bible classes seriously. You won’t get this opportunity very often and you will wish you had years later.

3) Get involved in a local congregation. It is too easy to be too busy and to have too many other responsibilities to get involved, but the love and fellowship and support of a local family is priceless. It helps to shape the servant you will become and you will develop lasting relationships in the process. After all, they might even feed you on occasion. (Acts 2:42; 1 John 1:3, 7; Hebrews 10:25)

4) Be careful who you date! It seems silly to say, but you marry the people you date. Be sure that those you date are kind, compassionate, selfless, God fearing Christians whose goal it is to help you get to heaven! Remember that this is the same person with whom you will spend the rest of your life and be sure that he or she will be a good father or mother to your children. (2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33; Psalms 128; Proverbs 18:22; Proverbs 19:14; Proverbs 31:10)

5) Don’t forget you parents! The command to honor them doesn’t stop when you reach 18, or 30, or 65. (Ephesians 6:2)

Most of all, remember that, although the world around you is changing at a rapid pace, God is the one constant in the universe. He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 22:13; Hebrews 13:8) He will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) He is always on our side! (Romans 8:31)

Congratulations and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.