Can you believe the day has finally arrived?! Your Dad and I are excited for all you have ahead of you as you venture out into adulthood. You've worked hard for this and we could not be more proud. We have taught you many things in the last 17 years, but there are a few things I hope you will carry with you no matter what life brings your way. As important as history, science, math and Latin are, if you remember nothing else, remember this:
1) You are more loved than you will ever know, which means you are called to love more deeply than you think possible. While there is nothing that could make us love you any more or any less than we do, the love God has for you far surpasses anything we can offer. Remember that no matter what: the successes, the failures, the joys, the sorrows - He loved you enough to die for you and will never leave you. There is nothing you can do, or not do, that will separate you from God's love. But, His love for you calls you to love others the same way. That love will bring you joy you can't imagine, and heartache you won't think you will be able to bear. As God chose to love you, we choose to love others. That will mean there are time you will have to choose to love people you would rather not, and walk away from people you want to love. Love is never a feeling. It isn't about what makes you happy, who you feel attracted to (romantic or Platonic), what you are drawn to - it is a choice to honor God above all else. That extends to not just how you treat others, but to how others treat you. Look beyond the words, the feelings, and even the actions, to the heart and soul. Remember: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 38-39 ESV
2) Look for the Good, the True, and the Beautiful - This next step in your educational and life journey is not about career training, making money, or gaining experience. It is the next step in learning about the nature and character of God. As the creator, designer, and author of all creation, history, cultures, and creativity, His fingerprint is in all you see and study. Stay rooted in His Scripture so you can find and discover His revealing of Himself in all you will study and experience. Whether you are reading Plato, deriving formulas, playing Bach Concertos, sledding down snowy slopes, diving the depths of the sea, or simply walking to the grocery store, His fingerprint is there, calling you closer to Him. There are times He will brilliantly reveal Himself through the "music of the spheres" and other times He will be a pinprick of light within the darkness, but He is there.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and
seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4: 8-9 ESV
3) For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. I Corinthians 13: 12 ESV - There is no philosophy, theology, theory, professor, teacher, theologian, scientist, or teaching that is completely and fully True. That is only found in God, and we are not capable of fully understanding Him. This is a life-long journey of sanctification that requires humility, wisdom, discernment, and study. Don't be afraid to question - and to question everything presented to you. There are very few things we can be completely sure of with our limited human understanding. And those things we can be sure of must be taken in faith because we cannot fully understand them: The Lord is God and He is One; Christ is the only means of Salvation, by grace, through Faith; All Scripture is breathed out from God and is reliable for teaching and rebuke. Be Reformed and always Reforming. Have the humility to question and be corrected; have the strength to stand up for what is True, and Good, and Beautiful; have the Love needed to walk alongside your fellow life-travelers, all of whom are simply on this journey with you. Some may be ahead of you, and some may be behind, but all are just as reliant on the Grace and Faith granted them by God as you are. One day all will be fully revealed, but in the mean-time, be part of the process of God's revelation to the world.
As you prepare to board that plane, and literally fly off into the world, I want to leave you with the benediction I heard your Grandfather recite almost weekly. This isn't an end as much as it is a beginning - and we will always be here watching, waiting, and loving you.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than
all that we ask or think,
according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church
[and in you]
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3: 20-21
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