Another school year has gone by, and for some it brought graduation.
Many of us will be busy visiting open houses, attending ceremonies, and shopping
for gifts. For those who left their high schools for the last time as a
student, it is a time of mixed feelings. Sad farewells combine with excitement
over the prospects of the future. One chapter of life ends yet now is the
commencement, or the beginning, of a greater part of life.
Much of life is that way. There are completions that bring with them
beginnings. This is not to say that the beginning of something new brings
with it the elimination of the past. That cannot be. Oh, how many of us
wish we could relive so many events with the benefit of our present wisdom
and experience! We would change some things, wouldn't we? That will never
be. We must ever live with the results of past mistakes, sins, and failures.
Thank God, we need not live with the frustration and guilt of the past.
Neither must we need to allow the past to defeat us now or bring about future
failure. In this sense, God has given to the believer the prospect for many
commencements. Speaking of God's mercies and compassions, Jeremiah said,
"They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness."
The rising of each new sun should remind the believer of God's great compassion.
This should challenge that believer to live the day victoriously in Jesus
Christ. For the child of God every day should be a commencement, a new
beginning. We are often burried in the mire of despondent living. We come
to believe God will not give us another opportunity. We forget, "The blood
of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin."
We should treat each day as a lesson in life. We can learn from past failures and defeats as well as successes and victories. If we can do this, each day will begin with hope and end with expectation. Viewing life this way causes us to make God our partner in life and gives us the joy of intimate fellowship with Him. We will better learn to tolerate, yes, and even love other people. Most of all we will look upon this life as the preparatory school for that day when we will graduate into the presence of our gracious and compassionate Lord.