by Justin Ross

Congratulations:  noun; an expression of approval and commendation.  Synonym: praise, kudos.

This is a word that you are going to be hearing a lot over the next few weeks.  You will have people lined all around you to express their approval and commendation of your accomplishment.  For a short time, you will be surrounded by adoring fans who will lavish you with fine gifts (hopefully anyway) and salute you for your accomplishment.  Grads, I tell you to relish every second of it.  You have earned it; drink it in, savor every second. 

You are not just completing a year long internship or study, but you have been at this for at least 13 years now.  You have worked hard, studied, and became students.  Not just students who know when the war of 1812 was fought, or students who have learned the formula for how to figure out how long the shadow on the flag pole will be at noon each sunny day; but you have become students of life.  You may have thought your purpose at school was to be students of mathematics, history, and science; but the whole time you were learning to be students of life.  Students of life, who investigate ideas, ask questions that do not have easy answers, and challenge yourselves to be more than you are.  I would like to tell you that being a student of life will end someday, but I have been a college grad for a few years now and I learn new things everyday as a student of life.  This is the most important lesson you learned during your time in school.

For the last 18 years of your life, your upbringing, education, friends and experiences, have made impressions on your life and you will continue in this as you leave this phase of your life and begin the next; be it college, starting a career, or a family.  All that you have done, the places you have gone, the things you have thought of, the hard work you have exerted, and the dreams you have only told a few people about will now all begin to take on a new form.  Work hard; never quit, slow down, or let up.  Hold the fact that God has an amazing plan for you close to your heart.  Form and shape your life into all that He has called you to be.  I would encourage you to find someone older than you whom you can share these thoughts, hopes, and dreams with; someone who will walk this journey beside you.  I did that when I graduated from high school and I still talk to this man today.

Ok, enough serious talk for now though; you have worked hard, and you have triumphed.  Although I am sure that the greatest feeling that you have now is relief; just remember to treasure the pride of your accomplishment.  This is so much more than just getting out of school; you now have proof that nothing can ever stop you.  Your graduation is a defining time in your life; one of only 2 or 3 that you are going to have.  My marriage was definitely a defining time for me.  I now look back on events as before I was married and after I was married.  High school graduation is certainly this kind of milestone.  You are leaving an important stage in your life and entering into a very different, yet no less important one. 

So I want to take this opportunity to challenge you to do 2 things.  First, I challenge you to do what so many people your age never do; grab the next years of your life and live them to the fullest.  Many new opportunities will become available to you over the next few years and I encourage you to make the most of them.  Time is something that cannot be redone or reclaimed; so purpose in your heart to live your lives with passion, courage, and integrity; as God has called you to make the most of what He has given you.

Secondly, I’d like to challenge you in a little different way.  It is the best advice I can find to leave with you graduates.  It is not my advice, a very wise man named Solomon wrote it as advice to kings a little over 3 ½ thousand years ago.

Psalm 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."

You are leaving one life for another.  Ahead lie your dreams and goals; but hear these words: whatever you do, do it with God.  Wherever you go, let Him lead you.  All the success and triumph in the world is worth very little if you live it apart from your Heavenly Father.  So set out into the unconquered territory you face with courage and passion, and change the world.  Never forget that you have a congregation of people here who will rejoice in your triumphs and mourn with you in your defeats; this is a blessing a lot of people in this world would love to have; take advantage of it.  Never forget that you are His. Never forget the place He holds for you in His heart. And walk with Him, in His ways. Do this and all things will be possible.

I am so proud to know you and proud of you; our journey together has been an honor for me.  I’ll never forget you.