Graduation

I had the privilege of addressing Joe's graduating class at their ceremony this evening. Sweet bunch of kids. Really great. When I set out writing some words down, I decided that if nothing came to me I would just string together my 3 favourite blog posts and call it a day. This is more or less a blog post, except that a couple of hundred people have heard it already. Giving the grad speech is really not that different than MC'ing a wedding...except I didn't wear a sparkly dress this time, or have to explain how the get the happy couple to kiss....
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They say if you want to make an important point when you are talking to a teenager that you better make it in the first 30 seconds. This is not great news considering our kids spend HOURS at school everyday!! If there is one thing that as a parent, I would want you to remember from these years and take with you as you go off to high school...it's this:

You....are....enough. Three words. Pastors often use groups of threes in sermons to make important points easier to remember. If I only have 30 seconds I better narrow it down to just words!You are enough.

There is nothing you can do that will make God love you more. And there is nothing you can do that will make God love you less. His love is not based on performance. It's unconditional. You are enough because you are God’s child. Set apart BEFORE you were born.


God loves you even more than your mom and dad love you. When you were a little baby, crying in your crib, you were enough. And ask your mom or dad about the times they would sneak into your room, when you were a baby, just to watch you sleep. You were enough. And the nights when you wouldn't stop crying and they walked you and rocked you. You were enough.

You're enough, today:
whether you have 14 friends on FaceBook or 486
whether you got a 3rd standard on field day or a 1st
whether you are 13, 14, or 20, 30, or 40 or 70 something
and even if you never got Classic Reader II. You are enough.

I sat on my deck while I was writing this and watched a little group of gold finches dive bombing, looping and swooping through the trees, doing what they were created to do. That’s all they do all day….and God delights in them, and they're enough. And I don’t know how you feel about June bugs and jellyfish ….but they’re doing what they were created to do, and they’re enough too, delighting God.

You and I are created for God's delight: We, His children: created in His image, created for relationship with Him, created for His delight and glory. You're enough. Each of you is different and has different talents and gifts. Some talents you already know you have. Some are still hidden and you may explore and discover them when you are in high school, and some may not blossom until you're 73. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, to try new things. With your unique talents and gifts, each of you will delight God differently in your own special way. We all have a desire to blend in, to NOT stick out and NOT be different. But it’s okay to be different and be YOU because God delights in that. You’re enough.

Try new things! Sometimes trying new things is hard. But it’s also very exciting. Pray for God’s guidance in this, I can tell you from personal experience that you’ll be amazed where He might lead you. And where He calls you, He WILL give you the tools you need: The courage, the time, the words… Sometimes, when we think about God's leading, we think it's going to be really foreign to our character, but so often God's delight goes hand in hand with our delight. Doing what He created us for, our purpose, with the gifts we already have. A small example, I like to encourage people, I like to write, and I REALLY like to make cards...so I use a gift to honour God, doing something I feel called to do, that I ENJOY, and it flows naturally. All He needs is someone who is available, willing to be used, and maybe to be changed. You have already changed and grown!! I don't think any of you have to walked and rocked at night anymore!!! You change, you grow....it's good! But be yourself.

You’re enough. It means that you can accept yourself the way you are, and that you accept and love OTHERS just the way THEY are, because they TOO are God’s children. If I asked you to turn to the person beside you, and tell them they're enough, you might feel uncomfortable....but God whispers it to your heart everyday. You are MINE, you are my Beloved. You are enough. We don’t always hear that or listen for it. The world, the TV, internet ads, and even people send you messages that you aren't enough....really loudly!!! And because we're human, we put value on what other people think of us. A wise person once told me that a friend is someone who makes you feel good about yourself when you've spent time with them. A good friend will echo the whisper of their heart.

Take time to hear that whisper. Quiet time: to be still and know that He is God. We can get too busy for this but remember that you’re a human BEING…not a human DOING.

We don't know what the future holds. But…the way ahead isn't always as complicated as WE make it. WE can get bogged down in worrying about the not knowing. God has a plan and a purpose for you. Plans to prosper you, plans for hope and a future!! He who began a good work in you WILL carry it on to completion. These are God's promises in His Word, the Bible, and His promises NEVER fail. The Way is clear. Jesus is the Way and God has the Plan. There is nothing complicated or random about it. As long as you stay connected to Him, you will fulfill His purpose for your lives.

I just want to close with a couple of words from a devotion that I read a few weeks ago. In it God says, “Seek My Face, and you will find fulfillment of your deepest longings. My world is filled with beautiful things; they are meant to point to Me, and remind you of My abiding Presence. The earth still declares My Glory to those who have eyes that see and ears that hear. …I chose to pour my Light into you, so you can become a beacon to others. There is no room for pride in this position. Your part is to reflect My glory. I am the Lord. “

So remember that you are enough. Always in the palm of His hand, you were enough yesterday, you are enough today and you will be tomorrow, because of who you are, and Whose you are.