These are exciting times for college grads. You get a chance now to show the world who you are and to also see the world's true colors outside your comfort zones.
In case you didn't do things too well, you get to leave the past behind and reinvent yourself (no matter what happened---you probably won't see many of the people you went to school with again or for many years anyway). You'll go to work every day just like mom and dad and start paying bills, like rent and college loans. (Unless you get a job that has flex time, yes, you'll have to be there early!)
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| My niece, Royalle's, dazzling graduation cap. |
It's about the same for high schoolers, except you finally get to cut the purse strings and leave mom and dad! However, this excitement may be short-lived. Once you begin to see what's really out there, this thing called appreciation will kick in, and after you're delivered your first dose of life you might start looking back and holding on a little bit longer to what you were just so eager to leave.
Scary? It doesn't have to be. It just depends on how you choose to walk it out. As a high school counselor, here are a few of things I encourage my children to do that might help you as well:
- Set goals and keep them in front of you. - You have to have a road map for where you are going or you'll always feel like the man who got on a horse and rode off in all directions. Write your goals down, make them specific and measurable, establish a time frame to accomplish them in and keep them where you can see them every day. You will be surprised at how much you will accomplish.
- Spend a little, save a lot. - Now that you really are in charge of your own finances, you will see every dollar counts. The "spend now, pay later" days are over. Contemplate your purchases carefully and make clear distinctions between needs and wants. Vow to get out of debt or stay out. It is a controlling menace that will affect the quality of your life greatly. Having money when you need it offers comfort and security.
- Walk only with those who add value to your life. - You will become like those you hang out with, no doubt. It takes courage to walk away from bad influences, but it will save you a lot of years and a lot of tears and help point you toward God's perfect will for your life.
- Watch what you allow to go into your eyes and your ears.- It will go into your heart and change who you are. The music you listen to (a biggie), the television shows and movies you watch, and the places you go will all form who you will become as a young adult. These influences will be instrumental in establishing your values as a person. If you want to put something good in your heart, read one chapter of the Bible each day. It will help keep you grounded and counteract the world's negativity.
- Listen to your conscience and follow it; it's always right. - Keeping your conscience clear and walking in integrity will make it easy for you to refuse compromise and help you make quality decisions in life. Conversely, continuing to override your conscience and doing things that violate who you are on the inside will make you dull of hearing the right things and, again, change who you are. Seek to hear from your heart (where God is), not your head.
- And finally, don't make permanent decisions with temporary people - Sure it's just one night or only one time. But that one time can wreck your life. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If they really cared, they wouldn't, and you don't have to decide today. Take a minute, an hour, a day, or even a week to think it over. You'll probably decide differently. And remember, you don't owe everyone explanations. Be true to yourself and to God.
Now, go succeed! God bless you.
Scripture Links: Habakkuk 2:2; Amos 3:3; Matthew 12:35; Proverbs 3:1-3; Proverbs 4:20-22; Proverbs 4:26; Acts 24:16
To Receive Jesus as Lord ad Savior:(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.
To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
