Hey sweet high school + college graduate! Here’s 5 things you should know, remember and take to heart:
1. Where there is no sin, you are free to choose + live your life for the glory of God. Encountering a trial doesn’t necessarily mean you made the wrong decision or are are being punished, but rather the Lord is refining (sanctifying you, making you more like Jesus) your life right then + there.
2. You grow by beholding the glory of Jesus through studying His written Word. How can you love what you do not know? Be transformed by the renewal of your mind (Romans 12:2). 3. You are NOT enough. The beauty of the Gospel is that I am not kind enough or pretty enough. I am not loving, patient or gentle. But Christ is + He is more than enough. If you are in Christ you have been justified, declared righteous by the shed blood of Christ, the greatest High Priest and perfect Peace Maker.
4. Trade self worth for awe and wonder at your King! Psalm 139 isn’t about us, fearfully + wonderfully made, but rather it is about God who is fearful and wonderful!
The fear of the Lord is linked to contentment (Provers 15:16, 19:23), to confidence (Proverbs 14:26), to blessing (Proverbs 28:14), to spiritual safety (Proverbs 29:25), and to praise and adoration (Psalm 22:23). It is no wonder that the Proverbs 31 woman is to be praised because she fears the Lord.
5. Don’t believe the cultural lie that by making changes to the outside of your body you can change the condition of your heart, have more self confidence, better self-esteem + greater happiness. But rather, a mind being transformed by the gospel rejects the idea of the worship of self and the vain pursuit of happiness. By pursuing holiness, your attitude toward your body will change, as you learn to love it as a good gift from God.
Take heart + lean into Jesus sweet graduate. There is wonderful joy ahead in Christ. Hope in Him when others fail you, find your identity in the One who is more than enough.
Behold your KING, fearful + wonderful.