Dear Graduate

You guys did it!! High School. Finished.  Most of you I won't have the privilege of seeing you receive the diploma you earned or even be at all the graduation celebrations.  So I wanted to just take a moment and say...

I knew it.  I knew you'd get here.  There was no doubt or wonder in my mind that you'd make it.  This is what you were made to do!  You were made to face challenges and step right over them, plow through them, you were made to succeed.

Here's the deal though...you are just getting started.  I'm so proud of each of you for putting your heads down and focusing on your work to get to this day.  In the midst of practice, games, training, work, sickness, life changes, all sorts of time-eaters; you pushed through and did it!

Now, get ready to do it again and again and again and again! You've done it over and over these past 18 years and now you will continue to do it throughout the rest of your life.  You were created, not to have challenges or obstacles break you down; you were created to go and do amazing things!  You were stamped with the image of the Creator, not just to get by, not just to live...but to LIVE!  Jesus said I've come that you might have abundant life!  So let's get after that abundant life!

Whether you starting your career, your time in trade school, an academy or college, get after it!  No matter what life looks like in 5, 10, 15 or 20 years...never stop getting after it.  Attack life with a zeal that never ceases, never wanes, never is overcome by the challenges you will inevitably face.

Lastly, I'd like to leave you with 3 thoughts:

1. You are made in the image of God.  Who you are is defined by the one who made you and whose image you were made in.  You are not the job you do.  You are not the sport you play.  You are not grades you get, the hobby you do, or a passive object that things happen to.  True, each of these things play a role in how you live, but that's not who you are!  Don't ever let your performance in any area of life (work, school, relationships) become how you measure your worth. Your worth is based on the One whose breath (ruach- look it up, it's Hebrew) you breathe.
2. Your life is not about you.  You have not been given this breath, this life to lead, these challenges to overcome so you can fatten your ego, feel better about yourself, and get whatever you can get in

this world.   Just because you were made in the image of God doesn't mean the world owes you anything.   Go change stuff, make stuff, teach stuff, play stuff, talk about stuff by serving everyone you come in contact with.  You are here for everyone else; live for them, make it better for them.  You are not here for you, you are here to do good for others.  So, go do it!
3. So, we've talked about who you are, why you are....now comes the how.  If I'm created in the image of God and for the sake of others, how do I live that out?  You love with grace, humility, and joy.  Life will be tough, you will have to overcome many, many things with humility and grace.  And this, not so that you might be this great human being but that you might be an agent of grace and redemption in this world!  You will accomplish stuff, thank those who are a part it with you.  You will be hurt by things and people, forgive them.   Never stop learning, never stop growing, and never stop living with joy and a smile on your face!

After all, you've been made in the image of God, and that's something to rejoice about.

Love you guys, can't wait to see all God does through you.