Graduation: Attention Graduates

 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

(Jeremiah 29:11,NIV).

As graduations and commencements are happening everywhere this May, as they bring closure, we honor graduates for the successful completion of their degree requirements. It's a time of reflections, celebrations, and new beginnings, a time of smiles, hugs, tears, and making plans for the future, a time to celebrate the reaching of goals and moving on to the next. It can also be a time of change, anticipation, and even apprehension for many.

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace" (Eccl. 3:1-8), NLT).

What exactly is graduation:

*Completion of a degree recorded on a transcript

*Receipt of a diploma

*Officially completing and graduating from a program

So, what comes next? Some have a plan, but many are unsure as to what to do or where to go next. I am prompted to ask, How about your spiritual walk that eventually leads to your graduation into a life with Christ?

"O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:

to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8 NLT).

As you graduate into a life with Christ, you may now move the tassel on your graduation cap to the other side, and walk boldly into the life God has already planned for you. You have now graduated from fear, doubt, or anything else that has held you back from feeling confident and peaceful. You can now walk in the Light that God is illuminating for your path. You can now hold your head high without fear or worry as to what the future may hold for you. "...forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13b-14, NKJV).

Let go of regrets and past failures, you have now graduated into your daily walk with the Lord. This graduation will allow you to continue to grow as your faith increases and your confidence soars in Him. Turn to the One and only reliable professor by turning to Him in prayer, studying His Word, and listening to what He reveals to you. Finally, feel at peace about all that lies behind in your past you have truly learned a lot, and you are prepared for both the present and the future in Christ. "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ" (I Thessalonians. 5:16-18, NIV).

Now graduate, on to the next phase - keep following God in all your next steps.

"See, I am doing a new thing!" (Is. 43:19a, NIV).

"May He grant you your heart’s desires and fulfill all your plans" (Ps. 29:4, Amp).

Lord, as we move forward this day, may we trust and obey in Your plan for us; Your plan, whatever that may be to bring You honor and glory. May Your plans be our plans, may Your desires be our desires, may our hearts remain pure in all we do. Use us in our next steps this day to serve and honor You, Father. We love You and will walk our path in faithful obedience. Thank you that we are graduates into our walk with You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.