Dear Graduate

Ray Pritchard

Dear Graduate,
As you begin a new stage in your life, I thought I would take a moment to share with you some words of advice that have helped me on my own journey.

Life is short. It probably doesn't seem that way today, but soon enough you'll look back and wonder where the years went.

Find your passion and then follow it. God never wastes anything, especially not the desires he puts inside your heart. Find out what you like to do, learn how to do it well, and then spend the rest of your life doing it. Figure out what you won't do and then don't do it. You'll be happy you didn't. Stand up for what you believe is right -even if you have to stand alone.

Make a list of the things you'd like to do before you retire. Put the list where you can find it every few years so you can see how you're doing. Thirty years from now the list will give you a good laugh.

Honor your parents. God promised a special blessing when you do, and your parents deserve it. Even if you don't think they do, they do, and even if they don't, you need to honor them anyway.

Keep a journal. Over the years you will be able to trace God's fingerprints in your life.

Smile. Life is too short (see above) not to enjoy each day. Always have some duct tape handy. And a 3x5 card. Trust me on this.

Remember the first rule of the spiritual life: He's God and we're not.

Memo to guys: Girls are mysterious. This will not change over the years. Memo to girls: Guys don't have a clue. Never have, never will.

Learn how to write well and how to speak in public. If you can do those two things, you will always be able to find a job.

A good question-What would Jesus do? Another good question-How would my parents handle this? Another good question-How will I feel about this tomorrow? Another good question-What if my family and friends could see me now?

It's okay to say "I love you" to those who mean the most to you.

Success isn't final and failure isn't fatal. Popularity is overrated and jealousy doesn't satisfy. Pray every day to become the person God wants you to be.

Know where you're going before you arrive. And be prepared for the unexpected-the path of life will not always take you where you want to go. Have a guide that knows the way.

Jesus is the only trustworthy guide on this journey. The Bible says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6). A relationship with Jesus is the only sure way to know you are going in the right direction.

How can you make sure that Jesus will be your guide through the journey of life?

First, acknowledge that you have sinned. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Realize that the punishment for sin is death. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Second, believe that Jesus paid the punishment for your sin by His death on the cross. "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18).

Third, confess your sinfulness to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Finally, invite Him into your life as your Guide for every step of the road ahead. He is trustworthy, "because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).

Congratulations, graduate. May your dreams be even greater than your memories.

© 2002 Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
Translated by permission of Good News Publishers
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