My cap and gown were green and gold (Dublin High School Fighting Irish – Class of 1982). That’s me in the picture, sporting the Farrah Fawcett hairstyle, standing with my dad just hours before my graduation. I remember standing in line waiting to enter the gymnasium and one of my friends whispering, “The best days of our lives are over.” I froze, unable to lift my green espatrilles. Those were not the words I wanted to hear for I needed my best days to be ahead of me.
2 Corinthians 10:12, “When they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”
It is something we all do – measure ourselves against others. She is going to this college. He drives this kind of car. Her parents did this for her. His girlfriend is so much better than mine.
The reality is, the only gauge we need to measure ourselves with is Who we are in Jesus Christ.
My grandmother used to tell me, “Measure your life by God’s standards then you will be truly happy.”
At the time, I really didn’t understand what she meant; but, through the school of life, I’ve learned exactly what she meant.
Some of you will go to college. Some of you will get married. Some of you will enter into a trade or start a job or raise a family. Your success is not contingent upon what those around you are doing but upon what you are doing.
What makes you happy? What makes you feel successful? What gifts are you using to impact God’s Kingdom? Are you living this life God has blessed you with for Him?
It all boils down to Him.
Because of the rains, your graduation has been postponed. It won’t be the last time that rain messes up your plans. The rains will come but the sun will follow. The waters will rise but also they will fall. There will be mountains to climb but Oh! the views from the top. There will be storms but Oh! the rainbows that will follow.
The scars of life overtime can be beautiful and useful.
Peace comes from conflict.
Happiness is only understood when sorrow has been felt.
Light is realized from darkness.
Winning is the outcome of previous losses.
And success is only realized after failure.
Tomorrow when you receive your diploma, celebrate with your family and friends, and say goodbye to the school you’ve known for the past four years, pull out your pen and start writing your new story. It won’t always be easy. It won’t always be what you anticipated. Life is all about stops and starts; falling and getting up; good times and bad. But if you allow Him to be the one constant in your life, God will never falter or change.
Never let go of Him for He will always hold on to you.
Your best days are just up ahead – walk confidently with Him.
