You made it! You graduated! You have crossed a major milestone in your life, one that propels you forward into a new arena of adulthood, full of new opportunities and responsibilities. You did this, in a unique and unpleasant set of circumstances. You involuntarily sacrificed many of the happy events that conclude high school—you may have complained, you may have cried, you may have questioned why—but you’ve accomplished this too. You are experiencing that life goes on, you are learning that all suffering is temporary, and you have shown that you can adapt, compromise and persevere—and you should be proud!

While you’ve been home, you’ve probably seen a commercial or two-- or two million, that use some phrasing like “in these uncertain times.” “In these uncertain times, you can buy this product from insert company name because we LOVE you (and your money),” or something like that. These commercials have gotten annoying and seem a bit out of touch, but the point of uncertainty isn’t wrong. This period of time has been very uncertain and still is. So, while we are all wallowing in uncertainty about when things will open and events can be rescheduled I want to remind you that we serve a God who is in control and that there are still many things that are certain.

Graduate,

1. It is certain that you have a future ahead of you

No matter how it feels to be a graduate now, which for many of you it may seem lackluster. There is still a strong and bright future for you to pursue. God is sending you out whether it be to further your education or join the workforce, your life is shifting forward to a new phase, full of opportunity, and new potential. It is okay to be sad and sorry about the recent past and present, but do not lose the hope you have in your future and the exciting things you are setting out to accomplish. In doing so, you can point others to your ultimate hope in Christ.

2. It is certain that you have a God who loves you

Fear, anger, sadness—all of these are emotions that you may have experienced recently in the wake of your situation. All of these feelings are valid and understandable. However; we want to anchor ourselves in God’s love. That we do not stay swimming in these feelings that drag us down, but remember that we have a God who loves us and is working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). When more and more things are stripped away we have to remind ourselves that God is and always has been enough.

3. It is certain that God wants to use you

One day, all of this will be a distant memory. It will be a story you tell. It may become a part of your testimony. Remember that all that is to come from this point forward, you are still being sent out to where God has for you to be. Your future ahead of you, loved by God, reveals that you still have much to do. You have hope to share, love to show, and a Gospel message to present to others who are lost, confused, afraid, and hurting. Graduate, you have a unique perspective, and therefore a unique message, to reach those around you and who will soon be around you in a way that no one else can.

Church, we need to be praying for our graduates. Pray that they, like all of us, will cling to our certainties, know that God is in control, and remember the mission has not changed.

What are you afraid of? We all have that ONE thing that gives us the ‘heebie jeebies’ and makes us shudder at the mere thought of it, right? I’ve been afraid of many things in my life… snakes, spiders, heights, confined spaces…even the dark. I have a dream one day of jumping out of an airplane and freefalling to the earth for several minutes before opening a parachute to slow my descent, but for now my fear keeps me on the ground…for now. I’ve been a firefighter now for 22 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned that stands out for me today, it’s the need to conquer our fears…and how much power we actually have available to do just that. Recently, I’ve been afraid of the unknown. I’ve been comfortable…riding the waves of a successful career, ministry, and home life…comfortable to enjoy the ride and not rock the boat by turning toward the storm and the unknown.

I recently accepted a promotion at work…a new position that came with many unknowns. I’m navigating unchartered waters and making my own course now, but two months ago I was afraid to take the step. God spoke to me through many different people as I weighed that decision, and the one thing He was making abundantly clear to me through all of them…”I did not give you a spirit of fear.” The enemy wants to use our fear to slow us down…to keep us quiet…to dampen our joy…to extinguish the light inside us. The enemy uses our fears against us. Fear tells us we’re not good enough. Fear says we can’t do it. Fear tells us we shouldn’t do it. Fear tells us we’re weak and powerless. Fear tells us we’re unworthy and not loved. Fear keeps us from enjoying the benefits of life. Fear tells us there is no way it can be done. Fear shouts, “I OWN YOU!!”

If you’re reading this today, know that your fear does not define you. Your fear does not own you. Your fear is not from God. Your fear is holding you back, but it doesn’t have to. “For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

You have a spirit of POWER. A spirit of LOVE. A spirit of GOOD MIND (SOUND MIND, GOOD JUDGMENT, SELF-CONTROL). That means you have the POWER within you to CONTROL the fear, not let the fear control you! Do you get that? Do you really?!! Man, if you’re anything like me, maybe you need to read that again…and again…and again…and again. Sometimes, I need to be reminded of that every single day. God has given you a spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SELF-CONTROL. How will you use that power today to conquer your fears? How will you use that power today to step out in faith and accept the blessings God has waiting for you on the other side of the fear? How will you use that spirit to love God and love people? What have you been saying “no” to? What have you been refusing to try because you’ve convinced yourself it’s not doable or possible? What negative self-talk do you say to yourself that holds you back?

Maybe if you’re like me, you’re moved by music. When you put this down, find the popular song by Zach Williams called, “Fear is a Liar” and be inspired to take a step toward conquering the fear that is lying to you today. We’ll each conquer our fears together today…and maybe today is the day I go skydiving after all!

Be blessed. Be the blessing!