Congratulations Graduates!
I graduated high school in 2002. I know, it’s been that long ago! I grew up in a small town and was active in my local church. Prior to graduation, we had a baccalaureate ceremony and I was asked to speak.
Eighteen year old me wanted to share the love of Christ with my fellow classmates.
Forty year old me would like to share the love of Christ with my fellow humans.
The following was my speech…..
“When I was asked to speak here today, I was hesitant to answer. I was scared and nervous. Being in front of hundreds of people who expect to hear something wonderful and inspiring isn’t on the top of my fun list, but the more I thought and prayed about it, the more I knew I wanted to speak here today.
Time: it seems as if there is never enough of it. I feel that there is so much to do, and I never have enough time to do it. Our time in high school is about to come to an end. After graduation, we will be separated, each going our own ways. There are many of you I will never see again. See, I am not sure what the future has in store for me, as many of you probably also feel.But I know that no matter what lies ahead of me, God is always going to be by my side. He will never leave nor forsake me. He is always going to be there guiding me through life’s long and winding roads.
In Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord said, “For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Those are very comforting words when we feel like our lives are going nowhere.
There have been so many times in high school when I have wanted to give up on everything. It seemed as if God was trying to see just how much I could take before I broke down. During those times I felt as if I was all alone. I felt as if God had left me. Boy, was I ever wrong. In those times when I felt I could not go on, God was right by my side just waiting for me to ask for help, and as soon as I did, my life soon seemed to be back on track.
I can’t completely explain the love Jesus shows me, but I can say that it is the greatest love you can ever feel. God loves us so much that he sent his only son to die on the cross for our sins. Every time I think about that, it takes my breath away. To think that someone could love me so much that they would die for me. But God does, he loves you and me more than we can ever comprehend.
Jesus Christ is my source of existence. Without Him, I am nothing. With Him, I am everything. Without Him, you are lost. With Him, you are found. Without Him, you are hopeless. With Him, you are full of hope. Everything I have been blessed with is because of Jesus. My reason for living is because I have the hope of a better tomorrow. I have that hope because I know that one day Jesus is going to come back and take me to heaven. God’s love for me is the reason I live, it is the hope that gets me through even life’s harshest storms.
There is nothing God cannot handle. If you have something that is really bothering you, take it to God in prayer. God answers prayers because God loves you. You will never know the awesome power God has until you accept Him as your Lord and Savior. The invitation is always there, all you have to do is accept it, and once you do you will begin to experience the greatest love you could ever have. Do not miss out on this party or you will be sorry you did.
So, for those of you that I will never see again after today, remember this, God is the Lord and Savior of all. He does not care what you have done, where you come from , or how bad you have messed up. He loves you no matter what. If you have never known the true joy that life has to offer, turn to Jesus. I can not guarantee that He will make the roads of life straight, but He will be right beside you to guide you. There is no greater gift that you could ever receive than knowing that Jesus is on your side. He loves you.
If you have never made Jesus Lord and Savior of your life, you are missing the biggest party of all. NOTHING in this life can even begin to compare with what God has in store for us in heaven.
If you feel God pulling at your heart strings, please find a minister or someone who can talk to you more about this awesome God. Trust me, you will be blessed more than you can imagine. Do not turn your back on God, he has not and never will turn his back on you. I pray that as you all go off into the world that, if you remember nothing else from high school, remember this, GOD LOVES YOU. Also remember, No Jesus, No Peace, that’s spelled NO. On the flip side, Know Jesus, Know Peace, this time it is spelled KNOW.
I want to congratulate the senior class of 2002, we finally did it. I will miss you all and I will see you at the biggest party ever, in heaven.”