What words of wisdom would you want to share with a graduate? I was asked this question a couple of days ago. As I thought about it, a few things came to mind that I want to share with our grads as they close the door on adolescence and step courageously out into adulthood.
Keep it simple – Love God, love others, and don’t let anything distract you from your simple devotion to Jesus. Life has a way of getting complicated and there are a lot of distractions out there that you can get tangled up in. You will make it as long as you “fix your eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of faith” and run whole-heartedly after Him. (See Hebrews 12:1-2.) Don’t try to run alone either. Find some other Christ followers to run with, so you can help one another finish strong.
Be careful with your desires – A wise friend of mine often says something like this: “A man will do about what he wants to.” This is so true. Our desires motivate our actions; therefore, be careful what you set your heart on. Consider your desires and weigh them out to see if they are worth spending your life for. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Watch out for empty wells – Jesus says, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But, Jeremiah 2:13 says “For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” We all have an inner thirst for life that drives us and until we find something to satisfy it, we will never rest. Watch out for trying to satisfy your thirst with the things of the world. Money, careers, relationships, and stuff are all empty wells and broken cisterns that promise to satisfy, but always leave us empty. Only Jesus Christ, the one who created our life, can satisfy our thirst for it. He will satisfy your thirst eternally if you come to Him.
Sin always leads to death – God’s ways are right and lead you to life, joy, and peace. According to Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death”. Sin seems right in the moment, but it ends in death every single time. When you are tempted to sin, remember death is always the result you will end up with.
Know what time it is – There is a right time for everything, and understanding what time it is really helps! (See Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Ephesians 5:15-16.) Learn to manage your time, use it wisely, and make the most of it for the glory of God.
Be teachable – Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Ephesians 5:17 says, “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Never stop learning. Seek to grow in your understanding of God’s Word and allow Him to teach you. His Word is the lamp that will guide you down the right path as you seek to navigate this often dark, difficult, and confusing world.
Shannon Compton
Life Groups Pastor
