With graduation for high school and college seniors just a few days away, I thought Ali Ray’s post, “That Age-Old Question for Grads” would be encouraging for those of you preparing for the next chapter of your life.

Ray writes:

“What are you doing after graduation?”

You might think that I have an answer to that question by now. After all, I am graduating from college in two weeks. While I have words to use as a response, the underlying answer is much more complex. I am graduating with two incredible opportunities provided by the Lord. I have a job and a man that will soon say “I do” to by my side. I am overjoyed and incredibly thankful for both of these things. However…

I don’t know how to be a wife. I don’t know how to be an employee. I don’t have any idea how I’m going to influence people for Jesus in the work place or have a gentle and quiet spirit in my future married life.

But what I do know is that I have the Holy Spirit in me. I have the Creator of the universe on my side. He fights for me, He cherishes me, He teaches me to live a life worthy of His kingdom. In my four years of college I have come to the realization that you can work for perfection and you can work to be everyone’s favorite person, but all you will achieve is pure exhaustion. All you can do is love the Lord your God with all you have, and because of Jesus, that will always be enough.

I have learned that I need to live out of the love that God has for me instead of out of the fear that sin generates. I have in no way perfected these things, but The Navigators have given me the tools to hopefully reach this place of wisdom and peace one day. The women who have poured into my life have taught me so much. They have taught me how to be moved by the Word, not just to read it. They have taught me how to pray like life depends on it, because if we are honest, it often does. They have taught me how to become more like Christ by living a life like His. Finally, they have taught me that nothing short of leading by example will help people come to know Christ more. They are my friends, not just people who disciple me. And for that genuine friendship I will be forever grateful. 

Now, do I know how to do all of these things in the “real world”? Nope. I have no idea. How could I? I’ve never done it before. However, what I do know is that I have the tools and knowledge to continue to deepen my relationship with God and hopefully help others come to know Him too. I am so thankful for all I have learned in these past four years. I am thankful for the highs and the lows because they helped me learn to rely on the Lord – not on the world, not on myself, but on Him alone.

The Navigators have had a wonder impact on my life for over thirty years. You can find more out about their ministries and resources at WWW.Navigators.org.