Graduating Life

I’m going to premise this post by stating that I am guilty of this myself (big-time), but I guess that’s one of the reasons God is pushing it on me.

Just so you know where I’m coming from, let me just say that this semester has been very busy for me. On top of my three high school classes, I decided to sign up for a few college classes as well. Factor in work everyday of the school week, and apart from the weekends, my schedule is pretty full. As a result, the tendency to become lazy has become increasingly more difficult to combat over the last few weeks. I’ve recovered from my previous lethargic stint, but it seems like the closer I get to the end, the harder it is for me to concentrate on accomplishing what needs to get done to graduate (funny, huh?).

Philippians 1:23-24
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Sometimes, instead of being productive and completing an assignment that is due, I start imagining how amazing it’s going to be when it’s all over, when there will be no more stress and anxiety. I’m anxious of what I know is coming, when the summer starts and I’ll be laying back in a pool, my sole task keeping myself from melting in Arizona’s 120 degree heat. Sure, this might sound relaxing (especially during a stormy time in life), but God’s been really pushing me to understand that there is no point dwelling on it before the fact.

Exodus 9:16
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

This crazy transitional phase from high school to college is synonymous to my entire life leading up to heaven. Although it isn’t going to be a place for us to just sit back and relax, I think a lot of times we tend to fixate ourselves on how amazing being in the presence of God is going to be, instead of directing our attention toward the needs of His people here on earth. We shouldn’t sit idle in awe of heaven, just like we shouldn’t concentrate solely on the end of life’s difficulties. There is work to be done now, and if we don’t do it, sure, we’ll survive…but what about the others? We’re not here to do the minimum amount of work possible to get by, but to help teach and tutor the lost so they can also graduate life and move on to the real world.

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Many say high school is the best time of your life, or that we only live once, so we should indulge ourselves while we’re still around. Those of us who know God though recognize that this is only the beginning to our far exceeding, eternal life in heaven. There’s only one major inconsistency that exists within this analogy: there are no “second-year-seniors” in God’s world, no chances to be granted make-up work, no extra credit to push you over the edge. The time to get serious is now, before you find yourself in the stands at graduation night, watching your peers walk without you…..

2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.