Strength Grows in Numbers
One of the more exciting (and nerve racking) events in the life of a young person is graduation.
Whether it be from high school or college, that next step in life is met with great anticipation, some uncertainty, and a whole lot of pats on the back for a job well done. I can still remember all the thank you notes that my sweet mother “encouraged” me to write. But, as per the usual, I am thankful for her not so subtle “encouragement.”
Graduates, take the time to write those thank you notes. They are appreciated and I am sure that the laundry basket, gift card, or towel set you were given is appreciated too!
Now that we have the thank you notes out of the way, let’s focus on the real important stuff, staying strong. As I am sure each of us have been told, we must stay strong in our faith. But what does that really mean?
To give you as concise an answer as I can it simply means that we are going to face constant tests in our faith. Often these tests will revolve around your relationship with the Lord. The world will tempt us, and our “friends” will try to persuade us that a life apart from Christ can be more rewarding than a life walking with Him.
Our prayer for each of you, whether you’re in Athens or Atlanta, Statesboro or Dahlonega, Augusta, or Milledgeville, is that you stay strong in your walk with the Lord.
First Timothy 4:12 is such a great reminder of faith that this community has in our 2021 graduates. It says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
We believe in each of you! We are proud of all your accomplishments and most of all, we are excited to see what the Lord is going to do through each of you.
Members of the community, you still have a vital role too. That challenge is to take the time to check in on our graduates. Whether it be a text message, a phone call, a letter, or simply praying for them by name, each one of them will need encouragement.
Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God,” and this is such a great message for each of us.
We still can teach and impress the love of Christ on these graduates even after they have moved on to that next stage of their life. My prayer for each of us is that we stay strong, show the love of the Lord, and support one another, no matter what distance separates us.
May the Lord bless each of our 2021 graduates and each one of us as we love and support them on their journey.