Graduates -- Oh the Places You Will Go!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the graduate photos and accolades that you moms and dads, friends and family members have been posting. No question -- Graduation Day is exciting, sweet and, oftentimes, combined with fear and trepidation about what the future holds. "Where are they going? What are they going to do? Where am I going? What am I going to do? Will they be okay? Will I be okay?" It's a wonderful time of realizing dreams and goals were accomplished and it's also an uneasy time of wondering about what the future holds.

No doubt, these graduations bring joys and the immense feeling of accomplishment AND a “Whew! We did it!” said 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 your dreams, trusting yourself, taking risks and embracing change. For many graduates, well, the future is bright and exciting and nothing short of fantastic. For, others, it may be a stretch and a process of figuring out what to do with all this acquired knowledge along with the apparent responsibilities that loom up ahead.

Whether or not we realize it, we all have expectations of how our lives are going to go. We have pictured it time and time again in our heads. Some 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. And, there is absolutely nothing wrong with pursuing dreams, but first and foremost we must know the importance of including God's plans in our plans.

Here’s the best case scenario for these wonderful and accomplished graduates AND you and me. Jeremiah 1:5 & Psalm 139:14 says “Before you ever came into being, God called your name. He formed you with love and intricately designed part of who you would become. You truly are made in an amazing and wonderful way". 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 or another opportunity to do what only you and I are chosen to complete.

So, to all you Graduates – here’s my prayer and thoughts for you….”Go out there in boldness knowing that you don't have to be like anyone else. You don't have to do what any other person has done. You are CHOSEN for one life — yours. And the wonderful news? Whatever God CHOOSES for you to do, He will equip you. Being CHOSEN means you will be given all you need. Being CHOSEN means that success is simply obedience and trusting God will do the rest. Being CHOSEN means that you have a great big God as your partner every step of the way. Those who love you will be cheering you on every step, too! The best is yet to be for you and we can't wait to see it unfold.

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!