Articles
Graduation Day
“GRADUATION DAY!”
Over the last few weeks, students across the nation have celebrated graduations. Whether it be college, high school, middle school, or even kindergarten, students who have met the requirements participated in graduation ceremonies. For some graduation is seen as an end, but it is really an opening of doors to the future. Graduation is really all about opening more doors and possibilities. Having attended several “open houses” recently, it is refreshing to hear students talk about their college plans. Even the youngest are excited about moving on to first grade or high school, and those doing post graduate work realize the great opportunities that are before them. All have quite a feeling of accomplishment to have graduated and are now moving on to new worlds.
The opening of doors provides us with many opportunities on our life’s journey. There may be obstacles along with these opportunities. How we handle these can be either a positive or a negative experience. Each individual will approach these experiences in his or her own personal way. Perhaps the most important journey that we will undertake is that journey of living our lives as a Christian. The path that we have taken in becoming Christians will not be an easy one. In Luke 9:23, Jesus stated, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Have you ever stopped and thought about the most important graduation experience for all of us? The experience of graduating from this mortal temporary body to an immortal eternal body. We should be spending our lives pursuing eternity in heaven with the Lord. Taking up our cross will involve hardships, but with the help of our Lord and Savior, we can overcome these obstacles. Jesus taught us self-denial and humility. We can find joy and peace when we follow His example.
As we move from one phase of our lives to another, each one brings with it a number of crosses. Whether that phase is a school graduation, a life change such as marriage, having children or grandchildren, losing a loved one, or retirement, we must always look to our Lord for strength. Jesus bore that physical cross and mental cross in a way that allowed Him to be our sacrifice. We must bear our crosses in a way that glorifies Him.
Graduation is a great time with many doors opening before each of us. Never allow a graduation to be the end of your journey. Move forward and let your light shine and glorify our Creator and Savior. Follow Him through every open door. Written by Larry Schneider
