Graduation…concept or reality?

         Having recently gone through my own graduation ceremony, the topic of graduation has been a heavy topic on my mind.  Already being a girl who likes to critique things, I immediately  began to ponder the “meaning” behind graduation ceremonies.  I mean, I know what the ceremony is for, but I still couldn't stop myself from evaluating what it represented. The more I got to thinking about it, the more I realized that graduation is not just a “1 time” event. It is so much more than that.

       To me, graduation is a common, every day occurrence, that happens in more then one situation. The essence of gradation is simply a learning experience in your every day life. Graduation is not just a ceremony, but an achievement. The realization that the graduate has succeeded at that which they were striving for, and working for. When we can grasp that concept, we will enter into a whole new relation ship with the Lord.

     Just as graduation is about honoring the graduate and recognizing their achievement, so too, is the meaning of life. Only, when we begin this graduation ceremony, we will not be standing before the  principle of the school, but the Leader and Master of our lives. These graduations, are simply signs of God along the way. Sometimes they are there to remind us that God loves us, and other times, that we are going the right way in our lives.  We need to watch,  listen, and obey. For life is filled with mini, unrecognizable graduations, all working toward the Grand Graduation Ceremony of the Lamb.

      The question is, how will we spend that ceremony? Are we living our lives in such a way, that every graduation works to glorify our King? When we stand before the throne of God, will we be counted worthy to partake in that ceremony, or will we be deemed unworthy?  The Marriage Feast of the Lamb is a celebration of the union between the church and Christ, but it is also the ceremony in which those who have walked worthy to be called ‘children of God’ will be honored for their faith, and obedient service to His will.

       We must never forget to recognize these seemingly small, insignificant accomplishments in our lives, and turn them in to praise for the One who led us here.  For that is the call of all of our lives. To walk worthy of our call as His children, to honor Him with our actions, to praise Him for our accomplishments, to glorify Him with our lives, and above all, serve Him with all that we are worth!!  For these, are the transcripts that will prove us worthy to participate in our Lord’s ceremony. 

            So, let us see to it, that we always remember our calling and live for that no-so-distant day, when we shall see our King and enter into eternity.  For what reward shall we receive, if we live not for our eternity, but for ourselves, ignoring these signs of God? It is only by surrendering to ourselves, and living out these graduations to honor our King, that we in turn, shall receive a place of honor in the glorious graduation ceremony of our King!

“Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you'll make a difference.”  

~Arie Pencovici

 

Another Milestone

      The Lord has brought me through yet another huge milestone in my life: my high school graduation. As of last Thursday, I am officially done with high school.  I know that God has been faithfully leading me through life, yearly leading to the doorstep of adulthood, but now, He has led me through that door and into adulthood.

       With graduation, I  have stepped out onto a new path. A path that is ultimately leading to Africa. I leave the past behind, and set my face towards the future. I can finally reach out and take hold of that which my Lord has for me. I can at last, set my feet and my thoughts toward making my Father’s dream come true.  I am free to go where He sends, and do what He wills with my life. 

    So begins my journey of a lifetime. Now I am finally, stepping out in obedient surrender to the call of my Master.  So begins, day 1 in this new chapter of my life.  The Lord has turned the page, and written the final sentence in my high school years, and has  started chapter 2 in this incredible tale; the story of my life. 

 “My steps are ordered by the Lord.”

Psalm 37:23

25 Days of God Epiphanies

          Well, it has been nearly a month since I last blogged, and a lot has happened in that time! These past 25 days, have been a real faith builder. 25 days filled with God epiphanies and wonders! Each day, He has truly been at work to to reveal Himself to me in various ways. Never in my life, have I seen God at work, as much as I have these past 25 days!! God truly is amazing!! Never have I loved Him more than I do now!! These past 25 days have only endeared this simple heart to that of my God! I have truly seen Him working miracles on my behalf, so that I can serve Him where He has called me!

         To start with, our yard sale was a huge success. God was truly present, directing each sale we made. The sale was a "make an offer" sale, so like all the rest of my fundraising, it was completely based on faith. We had many people that took advantage of us and gave us terrible offers, while others were more than generous. God had our backs the whole time, gently nudging people to give more, or to speak a word of encouragement and wisdom before they left. That sale was truly a God guided sale, one that was richly rewarded for the faith that was put into it. By God's grace, we raised over $400! God is good!

       Throughout the rest of the month, donations and responses to my support letters continued to pour in.  On the 29th, I finished my last cake pop order, and on May 1st, I finally sat down and counted the money myself, for the first time. This whole fundraising process, I have felt that God has been telling me not to count the money, so as to keep my faith solely based upon faith, and not numbers. Going through all of this, and trying to raise $6000 in three months, without knowing what I was up to, was a HUGE faith strengthener. I had to truly lean on Him, and look to Him whenever I started to stress or worry. But I can say without a doubt, that my faith was rewarded!
 
     When I counted that  money, I found that through God, I had raised over $6000!! I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't even count the money, my family had to! As I sat there watching them count it out, I was in tears at how He had worked. I knew He could perform a feat like that, but I never would have dreamed that He would do something like that...for me of all people. All I could do, and still can do, is praise Him, over and over! I feel like Abraham and Sarah, stepping out in faith to perform what many viewed as the "impossible".
 
      Even as I write, I am once more filled with awe at how He has worked. My mind is swarming with praise and wonder at His deeds. Spiritually, it brings me to my knees in worship. I am overwhelmed to see what He has done! It is hard for me to even find the words to describe how I feel right now, and how I have felt these past 25 days! I have truly seen just how great of a God I serve!! Seeing His work only makes me more dedicated to His work, more eager to serve Him, more enthusiastic to worship Him, more devoted to Him, and more firm in obeying His call and going where He sends me!! By the grace of God, I will do His work, and dedicate this simple life to serve my Maker, as long as He gives me life!!

 "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place...obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."   

 "Through faith also Sarah herself received strength...” 

    "By faith Enoch was taken from this life..."

  "By faith Noah... built an ark to save his family"^" 

       By faith Abraham... offered Isaac as a sacrifice". 

 "By faith.. Rahab...was not killed with those who were disobedient".

( Hebrews 11)

By faith...by faith...by faith!!! It's all by faith!!!

"Once we take a step of faith, God will act on our behalf!"