Congratulations! You made it! How in the world did we get here so quickly? What has seemed like your entire life, for your mom and I, feels like just a few days or years. As a parent, we are incredibly aware of how temporary this part of life is. There are no guarantees. We are grateful that God granted us these days to try to prepare you for the rest of your life. Further, we realize that you will soon transition to the rest of your life. As your parents, we count ourselves privileged to have parented you.
As Solomon did so many years ago, I want to write to you as a father to a son. This is a great day.
As you live…
Love and Fear God
Make God the most important One in your life! Love the Lord with all your heart (Matt 22:37). To fear God means to respect Him above all else. Every thing else in life will be in proper perspective if you make God number one. Of course that means to strive to become like Christ. Live every day for Him. Imitate Him (Eph 5:1-2). Jesus loves you and died to make it possible for you to have a relationship with Him and live for Him (2 Cor 5:14-15). Respecting and trusting God is the foundation of wisdom (Prov 1:7).
Love Your Neighbor
As you continue to learn and enjoy the love that Christ has for you, transfer that love to people (Matt 22:38-40). How can you best do that? Let me suggest a few key ways.
Serve people.
Every day God gives you the energy to live. Use that energy for people. The Bible says that God secures our salvation so that we can use our energy not to stay saved; but instead, we can use our energy to love people (Gal 5:13).
Look for people.
As you go through your every day, watch people. Pay attention to the ones who look like they need a friend, are down, or otherwise could use your help. Take notice of people who have cares, concerns, and burdens. Ask yourself what you can do to help them (James 2:14-6). Please look past people’s skin color, hair, clothing, and personality traits of all kinds to see the person underneath.
Be the kindest person in the room.
In life, there will always be smarter, richer, and more talented people around you. However, you can absolutely always be the kindest person in the room. No one can be kinder than you, if you determine to live that way. Allow others to be loved through your kindness (Eph 4:32).
Remember, You Have the Spirit.
The Bible teaches us that you have the Holy Spirit that indwells you (1 Cor 3:16). He provides you the power to do everything God expects you to do (Eph 1:19-23). He helps you become more like Christ and reminds you that change is possible (2 Cor 3:18). He intercedes for you and gives you the desire to honor God and love truth (Romans 8).
Walk in Wisdom.
Living life well calls for wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to apply the Bible in every day life situations. Thankfully, God invites you to pray for wisdom (James 1:5). He says that He will give you wisdom liberally. The entire book of Proverbs emphasizes the necessity and importance of knowing wisdom and living by it. My prayer for you is that many around you will use words like wise, understanding, and discerning as they consider you – because you develop those things. You already have a great start – continue in it.
Walk in the Word.
The great ideals and lifestyle that I call you to depends upon your spiritual discipline. Prayer, Bible reading, Bible study, and an always-active church life provides you the opportunity to live this way. Life is fast. As it is, disruptions abound. Many things distract from the spiritual disciplines. Just as you have had to be intentional in your academics and athletics, you must now practice diligence in this area as well.
Gratitude Protects You.
Words fail me to express the significance of how gratitude and contentment work together to protect you. Accepting what God provides you every day as a sweet gift from God keeps you from sin (James 1:13-18). Embracing what you have right now as part of God’s plan helps keep you wise. Two things to remember: 1) God is your portion; He alone is enough (Ps 73:26; Lam 3:24; Ps 142:5); 2) What He provides you every day is both God’s gift to you and is enough (Eccl 3:12-13).
Work Hard.
No doubt you have learned how to play hard. We value play and, throughout the past years, you have certainly enjoyed playing. But I also hope you have learned how to work hard. God desires for us to enjoy work and work hard (Eccl 3:22; Eccl 9:10). Be all in. In addition, whether it is working, playing, or whatever, make sure that all you do is for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).
Remember, God is for You.
God loves you.
Maybe the most powerful three words ever, “I love you.” Those are the words that God has for you today. Those words are true every day. No matter what you are doing, or anything else going on in your life – even sin – don’t forget that God loves you. The cross is proof-positive of the fact that this is true. You are loved (Rom 8:31-39; Eph 3:17-19)!
God has a plan for you.
As you move forward, regardless of where you are, what is going on in your life, or any of the other details in your life, God has a plan. All along the spectrum of your life, this is true – God has a plan and has not forgotten you. God’s plan includes you and your circumstances (Jer 29:11; Ps 139:16). Every day. All day. Day after day. Count on it – count on Him. You are in His plan – and it is a good plan (Rom 8:28-39).
God helps you and is with you.
You are not alone. God is with you. Jesus Christ is with you. The Holy Spirit is with you. God controls all things as the sovereign God Who has a plan. Jesus Christ comforts you and provides you peace. The Spirit empowers you to do everything God desires for you to do. In every way, the Godhead works for you, helps you, and never leaves you (Heb 13:5-6).
God waits with you.
Whatever your future circumstances in life, stage in life, your past, your present, or whatever, you need to know that God waits with you. Jesus Christ understands you. He gets you. On your best days and on your worst days, you are known and loved. God walks with you through it. He demonstrates patience, understanding, and perseverance. Jesus’ wrath-bearing, sin-forgiving, love-demonstrating sacrifice on the cross provides for God’s patience toward you. But, He is not just patient. He also helps while He waits (Heb 2:17-18; Heb 4:14-16).
From the archive for Graduates:
Going Forward…
Will you ever fail?
Yes. Many times. You can expect it. We expect it. This is part of life. But son, you will grow in your failures if you allow them to help you. Failure is fine as long as you do not let failure define you. Instead, move forward when you fail for the glory of God.
Will others always care about you, notice your hard work, or pay attention to your thoughtfulness? Will others disappoint you?
No, people will not always care, notice, or pay attention. And, yes, people will disappoint you. But son, that is when you as a man of character learn your real motivation. Do you do what is right because of people – their praise, respect, kindness, or whatever – or do you do what is right because of a desire to live for Christ? This is the difference between living with fear of God or fear of man.
When people disappoint and do not demonstrate gratitude, then just keep doing what is right for the glory of God. There will be times that possibly those even in your family will not treat you the way they should, will not be forgiving, or will disappoint you. When this happens – especially if it is dad or mom :) – continue to do what is right and demonstrate the goodness of God through your goodness and kindness to people.
Will you be alone?
There may be times that you feel alone. As I wrote earlier though, you will never be alone. It is easy to feel that way. Life can be lonely on many fronts. However, the Bible teaches us that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit never leave you. In fact, Paul says, “If God is for you, who can be against you?” (Rom 8:31). Learn and practice the presence of Christ. On those days you feel the loneliness, enjoy Jesus the most.
Today Is a Big Day.
Graduation is sweet. High school graduation is not guaranteed nor is it easy. Yet, because of God’s grace you have made it.
Two final ideas.
First, as much as today seems about you and your fellow graduates, this day is ultimately about God. God is the One Who has made this day possible. Therefore, we do not want to let this day pass without incredible gratitude to God.
Second, I love you. I am proud of you. I look forward to seeing how God uses your talents, personality, intellect, and fun-loving soul in orchestration together to do big things for Him.
As this chapter ends and a new one begins, mom and I are acutely aware of the temporary nature of parenting. We will enjoy walking with you in life as you live for Christ.
Love, Dad
KevinCarson.com | Walking together through life as friends in Christ sharing wisdom along the journey