Graduation Season

It's that time of year, hearts are racing as they anticipate that ever fateful day, Graduation. I remember it like it was yesterday. I could NOT wait for that last song to be played and for my hand to release that cap into the air. What a feeling of exhilaration, excitement, and a little nerves all mixed into one. For one, you had accomplished a great feat. But, on the other hand, those carefree days of high school and no responsibilities were over. A new life lies ahead of you, stretched out like the open road, ready for you to take a drive. It will be full of roadblocks, traffic jams, and detours that is for certain. The choices you make and map you choose to follow will determine where you will end up. Hasty decisions will lead to dead ends. This is your life we're talking about, so you want to choose your destination wisely. How do you guarantee that you'll end up in the fast lane, successful, and happy? Well, there really is no guarantee of success if you look at it by the world's standards, however, if you look at life through the eyes of God and see it as opportunities He is giving you, then you will always feel like you're a winner. The Bible says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21 You can make your plans, however God's purpose for your life will prevail if you will follow Him, look to Him, and obey Him.

When I was trying to make those decisions about my future, it was difficult. There were so many choices to make, choices about college, career, marriage, would I get a summer job, or move away from home? These decisions are never easy to make, however, we all have a link to the answers, or at least to some wisdom to help choose the best answer. This link is prayer, our lifeline to God. Choosing to go to Him with your decisions is the first step to making the right choices for your life. Matthew 7:7-8 reads, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." These verses back up my suggestion that seeking God's help is the best way to go. One of my best suggestions for anyone who wants to see how God works in your own life, is to begin recording your prayers in a journal. Writing down your requests, concerns, and thoughts is not only helpful to make one feel better, sort of a therapy for the worried, but it also is a rewarding experience to be able to return to those prayers after God has so graciously answered them, days, weeks or years down the road. You can then rejoice in the many blessings that God has given you. You will be astonished at all He truly gives you, and I guarantee it will be more than what you asked for.