An Open Letter to the Graduates

 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-20 ESV).

 

The picture I’ve included today is the decorated cap that Faith will wear at her graduation tonight. It is the Aledo High School graduation in which she and Logan will be walking across the stage receiving their diplomas. I’m a bit amazed that the time has passed so quickly as they reach this crossroads in their lives. Seems like yesterday that they began their journey of formal education. Faith will be attending Texas A&M College Station and Logan will be attending Texas A&M Texarkana. It has been a joy to see so many posts on social media from friends and family as they announce their graduates. I’m sure I’ll write something more specific about tonight’s ceremony later; however, today I wanted to write an open letter to all those who are celebrating this high water mark with their graduates.

 

As the Apostle Paul finishes his letter to the Ephesians we are able to see the depth of his love for those believers. He tells them of his prayer for them as they “graduate” from the fledgling church with his guidance to a mature vibrant community of faith without him as his absence lengthens. That is a similar in practice to the graduation of our children to pursue future plans, often away from home and direct influence. Paul desires that they “be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love” (v. 15-16). Isn’t that what we all should want for our graduates? I want them to be strong in Christ so that all the circumstances they will undoubtedly face through their journey will merely be another part of their story of success. Even when it might appear as an abject failure, God’s promise is to work it together for their good. That’s the “rooting and grounding in love.” I do offer congratulations to all of these young men and women who have achieved this marker in their life… now let’s all pray for them to “know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge”.