This is OUR Season
I drove by this graduation-decorated car at McDonald’s yesterday. I turned around to take the photo of it as I knew a blog would be forthcoming! What a way to start a graduation day — having a hearty meal at McDonald’s! I can only imagine what else this day would hold for their student. My hairdresser told me yesterday that her 28-year-old daughter is graduating from medical school and she will be traveling to Florida for the graduation. She is a proud mama!
With those two “moments”, I knew my blog today would be to celebrate graduates — no matter their age. I have loved seeing the graduation photos of all who are celebrating this momentous time of the year! Congratulations to all of you — children AND parents. It’s a great feat to have made it to this Rite of Passage that took a village to see it through — parents, grandparents, coaches, teachers and friends. I’ve been there.
No doubt, these graduations bring joy, the immense feeling of accomplishment AND a “Whew! We did it!” expressed by those who made a huge investment of their time and treasure into this big day. That long-lasting commencement ceremony is over, along with the speeches about pursuing dreams, trusting in yourself, taking risks and embracing change.
Some graduates are blindly going into their future with no real expectations at all. All that mattered is that they received a diploma. Then there are those who have their future all plotted out: 4-years in college; 4-years in graduate school and then putting a sign on their office that holds their new title. Others picture traveling the world while pursuing their dream job. Some picture a white picket fence with four beautiful, well-behaved children and an always-loving husband or wife, while others see themselves owning a Fortune 500 company by the time they turn 25.
Pursing dreams on our own can get us somewhere, but when God is included in our plans…..He directs our steps. The best case scenario for these wonderful and accomplished graduates AND you and me is found in Psalm 139:14 “Before you ever came into being, God called your name. He formed you with love and intricately designed every part of who you would become. You truly are made “in an amazing and wonderful way” (Psalm 139:14). The fact is none of us are on this path by coincidence. We are here because God looked out over all of history and chose you and me for a particular time and purpose. We could have entered the world a hundred years ago or a thousand years from now. But we are in this generation, this time, and there will never be another you and me and another assignment that only you and I are chosen to complete. That’s why it’s okay that my sweetheart got to go to heaven before me. He completed his assignment. Now, I’m working on completing mine.
Perhaps it’s time for you and me to “graduate” from the School of Hard Knocks and Defeat. It’s time to put the past behind us and move into a “I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength” mindset (Philippians 4:13). Maybe some of you moms and dads are struggling with “an empty nest” as your kids go off to high school or college, but why not turn that around? Not, just in celebrating our graduates, but let’s enter this new season with zeal, determination and excitement that a bright future awaits us right along with our graduates.
Our journeys are not by coincidence. We are here because God looked out over all of history and chose us for a particular time and purpose. We could have entered the world a hundred years ago or a thousand years from now. But we are in this generation, this time, and there will never be another you or me or another opportunity to do what only we are chosen to complete. Let’s move forward in our lives with boldness knowing that we don’t have to be like anyone else. We don’t have to do what any other person has done. We are chosen for one life. That’s this ONE God gave us. And the wonderful news? Whatever God chooses for us to do, He equips us for it. Being chosen means we will be given all we need. Being chosen means that success is simply obedience and trusting God will do the rest. Being chosen means that we have a great big God as our partner every step of the way. So, let’s get this graduation party started. The best is yet to be and we might as well step into this new season that awaits us!