As you can see, we've been to the beach and I enjoyed taking photos of footprints in the sand. The reason for this visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina was to attend the high school graduation of our grandson Nicholas. We call him Nick and are tickled to have such a nice grandson. He and grandpa had a good time picking out a laptop computer and new printer for his use next semester when he starts college. It seems that he was born such a short time ago, and now he's a young man setting out on this journey called life. And it will be a good one, because he belongs to God and knows Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The one 'gift' we'd like to give him, and could not, would be the awesome gift of faith.....this comes from God. So we thank you Lord for Nick's gift of salvation; everything else pales in comparison. It was our hearts desire to attend our grandson's church, Nick and his brother Kris, beside us. What a blessing!There are some turning points in our life that appear to be critical, like graduating from high school. Here you are, barely 18 yrs old and expected to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life. Most of us don't have a clue, but the pressure is on, we have to make some choices. It's wonderful to have a special talent, a passion you delight in, an 'inner call' that beckons and directs you. But many don't experience that. In fact, we can be somewhat paralyzed by the thought of entering the adult world. There may be a sense of confusion and loneliness, others are simply 'straining at the bit' and ready to take on the world. We are different, we didn't come out of the same mold. Each one of us has been 'hand crafted' by the Potter Himself and He knows the way to lead us to where He wants us to be.
God plans for us to stray within His boundaries so we can be aware of our daily need to be connected to Him and feel His presence. He is the vine, we are a branch...John 15. The world will tell us that we need to be strong, God says that we should know weakness so we can come to depend on His strength. The apostle Paul was given a 'thorn in his flesh'. We don't know exactly what that thorn was, but many of us have fun trying to figure it out. I believe it isn't important, the point is we all have something in our life that we'd like to get rid of, change....something that just might drive us crazy. God may not remove it, He has His reasons. But we can know this, He will give us the grace to endure it.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness", II Corinthians 12:9. Paul came to this conclusion, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, than I am strong", II Cor. 12:9-10. Forsake worldly philosophy and stand in 'heavenly' truth.
When the Lord reveals this truth to us personally (we are to count on His strength), our life will be content. Remember, Jesus didn't come to earth so we could have a 'religion', He came so we could have a relationship with God! It's O.K. to let go and 'go with the flow', like drifting down a stream, but be sure you know who is steering your boat. Know that it's God who is directing your footprints in the sand. Be aware that Satan, the devil himself, comes like an 'angel of light', II Cor. 11:14. Satan looks good, sounds good, and will completely deceive those not protected by Christ. Job points out in Job 1:7 that Satan is roaming through the earth, going back and forth looking for those who are vulnerable to his lies.
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death".
Proverbs 14:12
Be like Moses when he was leading the Jews through the desert. He told the Lord he wasn't going if His presence wasn't with them....Exodus 33:15. DON'T GO ANYPLACE WITHOUT THE LORD! Invite Him to participate in all you do. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed", Proverbs 16:3.
We can buy our grandson a computer, but we can't give what is really important in life, only the Holy Spirit can do that. It's called the 'Fruit of the Spirit' and grows out of a relationship with the living Lord. *Love *Joy *Peace *Patience *Kindness *Goodness *Faithfulness *Gentleness and, * Self-control. Don't enter adulthood without claiming this gift as YOURS! Galatians 5: 22 -23.
Many graduates will be leaving their homes, some, never to return to live with their parents. Keep in mind that the Lord who loves you chose these parents for you. They are a part of His infinite plan. They may be great parents (by the world's standards), or not. But know that when you honor them, you honor God. In fact, there is only one of the Ten Commandments that has a promise, "Honor your father and your mother.......so that it may go well with you..." Deuteronomy 5:16.
I've learned some things along my journey through life, we all do. If I could come up with a formula for a 'life well lived' I would suggest that you view life as an opportunity to....be curious, wonder, be amazed, get excited about life, be positive, ask questions, avoid negative people, put others first, never walk in fear, believe you can do 'all things 'through Christ', accept, forgive, trust God and know that He will work 'all things' together for good for those who love Him.
While poking around the little town of Manteo on the Outer Banks of N.C., we discovered a nice little store that sold donated hand-made items to help support a woman's shelter in the community. I just loved the name of that store....'ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES'! This is my prayer for Nick, and all graduates, that you discover endless possibilities on your journey through life.
Thank you Lord for this new generation and bless them with your love and guidance. We love you and are proud of you Nick. We praise the Lord that we could be with you on your special day.
