Graduating highschool is a tremendous attainment. A sense of fulfillment engulfs your being as you triumph across stage to procure that tiny, yet powerful piece of paper- the piece of paper that immediately becomes the gatekeeper of your future; the contributor to your hopes and aspirations. You’re on cloud nine……..
and then it hits.
High school’s over.
Your life plans must immediately be mended, improved, and finalized. It’s a petrifying yet incredulous sensation.
When I was younger and dreamed of that “glorious” graduation day, I was ignorant of the responsibility that accompanied such a feat. I idealized freedom, the absence of homework in my nightly routine, mid-day naps, and bright dorm room decor. Oh, how naive I was to the importance of “adult-ing.”
As I marched down the steps adjacent the stage, anxiety engulfed me, but only for a short second. I quickly reminded myself of God’s inerrant design in each one of our lives. God’s plan might not always coincide with our own selfish desires, however, as Christians, we can be certain that His plan will always coincide with His perfect Will. And believe me, God isn’t afraid of completing altering your plans.
For instance, my entire future was planned out.. down to my “first day of college outfit.” (Okay, maybe that was a slight exaggeration, but the point is, I had precisely organized my future.) My college was chosen, my major was definite, and I had one more year of high school to finalize the details, or so I thought…
When I met for my yearly advisor- student meeting, I was informed that a mistake had been made, and I was indeed qualified to graduate. Oh, and did I mention this was the night before the graduation? I figured such a minor fact as this should be included, you know, just for added emphasis and all.
Picture this, a girl who “had it all figured out” being informed that her plans were going to change, and in a matter of a few hours. Yeah, my face turned bright white, and my stomach didn’t feel the best either. I was just introduced to a revelation that destroyed the very existence of my intricately thought-out plans.
After a few phone calls, and a whole lot of prayers, the graduation was set in stone. There just so happened to be an extra graduation cap and gown. Not so ironically, there was an additional diploma case that suited my diploma just fine. Oh, and did I mention there was an added slot in the pamphlets where one more graduate would be added? God had a plan. It wasn’t one of my parents, and it certainly wasn’t my own, but it was God’s. I was incredulously blessed to be surrounded by such caring, helpful people who genuinely cared about this special day. God placed those people in my life for a reason, and I’m so very thankful for His hand in my life.
Just a few months later, I was offered a part- time job as a teacher’s aid. Little did I know, just how much joy this job would gift me, and I feel certain it is precisely where God wants me the present year.
God has a plan for each and every one of you. Believe me, I understand how stressful these high school/ college years can be. Trying to pretend like you know exactly what you’re doing, when in reality, you just want to be ten again. I get it. Trust me, when you walk with God throughout these stressful years, apprehension decreases while assurance increases. Harken and follow in His Ways. God’s plan may not always be your plan, but you may rest assured that it is the best plan. Reside in His perfect and pleasing Will.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
// For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.//
h e a r t- o f - t h e- m a t t e r 