I have always loved graduations. They symbolize such a significant point in one's life. I still remember the excitement of my graduation day four years ago. I remember how the world felt so full of endless possibilities as my mom turned my tassel and I officially stepped out of high school. And now it's your turn. The class of 2018. You have spent the last twelve years of your life learning and studying and working so hard at figuring out this whole "growing up" thing. Whether you were homeschooled, private school, public school, or cyber school. You made it to the end. You came to the end of a season of your life that was very significant. And now you will step into the "real world." You will move on with your life. Some of you may go on and get married and start families. Some of you may go to college. Some of you may get a job and enter into your working journey. Some of you may embark on a journey to pursue your dreams and see where they go. But all of you will be faced with very important decisions. And all of you will have to answer the question: What am I going to do with my life? It's the question that every one of us has had to answer at some point in time. Maybe you've already decided this when you first entered high school and you're all ready to step out into your new adventure of pursuing it. Or maybe you still have no idea what you want to do with your life and you feel like graduation has come so quickly and now you must make some very important decisions now and your head is spinning. Class of 2018, whichever path you feel like you are on tonight, I desire to share with you just a few things from my heart that I hope will help you answer the question...what am I going to do with my life now? Don't leave God out of this. I have seen many examples in my lifetime of young people who left high school and went off to pursue their own dreams and their own goals. The world was before them and they decided to do whatever they wanted. But none of that ended very well. You see, our lives are not our own. You are here on purpose and for a purpose. His purpose. God has a plan for your life. And whether or not you want to hear this, sometimes His plan is very different from your own. A lot of times the end of your high school graduation signifies a more important question that you must answer. Will I follow my plan for my life or let God lead me? I used to think I had my whole life figured out. When I graduated high school, I had a long list of everything that I was going to do. I thought by 21, I would be here, there, or at the next place on my goal list. But a long time ago, I decided that no matter how difficult it would be, I was going to live my life how God wanted me to. I was going to pursue His plans for me, where He led me. So my life looks so different than how I imagined when I was sixteen. But worth it? Absolutely. Don't rush your life. Don't be so hurried to get on with "real life" after graduation that you actually miss what really matters. The world is so quick to rush you off. At my graduation, each senior had a bio read about them that included their plans for the future. Afterwards, everyone kept asking me, "Where are you going next? College? What are you doing now?" Sometimes it can make your head spin. You're just starting to figure out this growing up stuff and now you have to make all these crazy important life decisions? Don't rush to get to the next thing or the next season. Seasons of our lives come and go. Each one is beautiful. Embrace the one you are in. If you don't know where God wants you next, that's okay. Breathe. Take however much time you need to pray, seek God's will, and get to know God better. He will lead you where He wants you in His time. Embrace the journey. Make time for Jesus. Life gets crazy. There's no way to avoid it. We live in a world that is constantly hurrying and going to the next thing. Don't become too busy for Jesus. Always make time for Him. There is no other relationship in your life that is so important. Spend dedicated time in His Word. Get to know Him and His plan for you. Lean into His love. His love is great enough to lead you into whatever He has next--no matter how difficult. Remember that you have something to give to this world that only you can give. There is only one you. When God made you, He didn't make a backup. You are the only you He created for this world to ever experience. There is something that only you can give to this world. Maybe God has shown you what that is already. Maybe it's a special talent He's given you or a special calling or dream. Maybe you have no idea what your something is yet. But I know you have one. Give of yourself to others. Live radically for God's kingdom. Love God and love others. Be the only you that this world is ever going to see. You have a purpose so much greater than you could ever imagine. As you turn your tassels and walk out of your high school days for the last time, I pray that you will always remember these three things: God goes before you. You are loved more than you could ever imagine. And you have a special purpose in this great big world. Congratulations, class of 2018. May you serve Christ and follow Him in everything you do. God bless you. XOXO, Bella "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 6/2/2018 08:07:01 pm
I decided to read this on my graduation day today, Bella, and I loved it. All the points you made were so true and Scripturally based, thank you so much for writing this. <3
Bella Morganthal
7/4/2018 05:59:55 pm
Thank you, dear <3 CONGRATULATIONS!! Comments are closed.
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