Senior Class Commencement
This day probably feels somewhat surreal since for the last 13 years of you life, nearly the majority, you’ve been going to school from 8-3pm every day. Some might think today signifies a personal freedom: sleeping in, no more exams or lectures from Mr. Johnson or school lunches. Maybe today is a relief since high school has never really felt like a fit for you, or rather you a fit for your peers. Some of you will enter the working world immediately. Starting early in a family business or at another job is where you’ll have the most fun, the freest schedule and it’s what you have always pictured for yourself. Others of you will enter the local community college to save money and help decide what your true passion is before committing to a $25K a year university. While a wise financial decision you’ll probably be frustrated that community college resembles high school to some degree and there are still those lousy social cliques to overcome. It’s everywhere though, so just enjoy as well you can. For those of you entering a university I say good luck. It will be one of the best seasons of your life filled with laughter, impromptu road trips, late nights, and total distraction. Whatever you choose to do from here you are about to embark on some of the most transformative years of your life.
Some of you are scared to leave high school and you may not even know it yet. You are known well here, feel comfortable and have most people figured out. Friends are dependable, teachers predictable and each person in your graduating class has filled a specific role to round out what is probably an awkward bunch of kids; kids that the parents here love and cherish so much and the teachers find so much potential. Please don’t be scared for leaving. Know that this moment in your lives is bursting with opportunity.
If you’re going to concern yourself with anything, concern yourself with the choices you are about to make on a daily basis that will set your path of life forever. Thanks to current statistics I’m pessimistic that many of you actually know God though I hope the statistics and I are wrong. Regardless of your level of belief it doesn’t make God any less of a reality. That said I have to tell you now is the time to engage God on your own; you cannot afford to wait. You might wonder why that is so important and that’s a good question. Unfortunately it’s a question that I will never be able to persuade you on until you experience God for yourself; He’s kind of like sushi in that regard. All I can tell you is that God has preserved for you all your great experiences in school to this point and has protected you from allowing the crappy ones to be worse.
The Lord created you and knows “your inmost being” – your strengths, weaknesses, passions and gifts. He wired you in such a way that your future job, family and friends couldn’t help but see how truly talented you are. He knows of your imperfections and offenses. He has witnessed the anger, the parties, the sex, the depression, the judgment, the alienation and the heartache. These are realities for all of us. His heart aches for you too and has reconciled you back to Him through Jesus in order to wash those stains, tears and scars away. There is always hope. He calls to you, desires to be with you, and has determined a path for you. You have a choice. You can stumble along your own at work, at school, or at home. You can go where you want to go and do (do) what you want to (want to) do with whomever you (you) want to do it (do it) with (Thanks Mama and the Papas!) or you can walk with Him through life. He offers you guidance, wisdom, confidence and peace. If you don’t know the necessity of these things now, you will one day. For your sake I hope it’s sooner than later.
Some of our graduates today know the Lord and have pursued a relationship with Him for some time now. I praise the Lord for capturing your heart early. There is much worldly heartache God has saved you from because of that intimate relationship. For you I leave you with one verse: “Whatever happens,” work, community college or a university, “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the good news of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:27)
Teachers, we thank you for remaining loyal to this class. You have helped shape them and have given them the irreplaceable gift of education. Thank you for giving your time and recognizing that each student has a personality and giftedness and is unique to them.
Parents, we cannot leave tonight without thanking you for supporting and raising these kids. Thank you for helping them with projects, getting tutors when needed for geometry, and for partnering with the teachers when decisions were tough. These students are successful because of your commitment to them and this school. To you I leave one verse as well. As you watch your first, another or baby graduate and enter the world on his or her own you must release them. Remind yourself that God sees them and they are His in the first place. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Maybe this verse is a reminder to all of us. To the graduates, no anxiety is necessary as you face the coming years. You have a God that you can partner with. To teachers, no anxiety is necessary over a troubled student, stubborn parents or the security of your job. You have a God that you can partner with. To our parents, as you release these quality and imperfect students you have a God to partner with. My hope is that none of you sitting here tonight leave this place entering a new season of life alone. We all have a God we can partner with.
Let’s pray…
