Timeless Advice for Graduates

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.                        (1 Timothy 4:7-16)

The apostle Paul gives some timeless advice here for all young graduates (and the young at heart .Though he is addressing the young pastor, this advice can be well applied to anyone entering into the world ready to go to work. You see, every vocation is a ministry for the believer!

Whether the plans are to be entering high school, college graduate school or the work force, we must have the mind set that we are first CHRISTian. We will be a CHRISTian in high school, a College CHRISTian, a CHRISTian grad student, a CHRISTian lawyer, a CHRISTian business owner, etc. You get the picture?

No matter what our plans may be or where we are led, we are to be CHRIST-followers first and allow Him to do the planning, leading, and carrying out of our path in life. While I encourage every young graduate to pursue actual full-time CHRISTian ministry as a priority, I realize this is not every one's calling in life. However, for the believer, we are each called to first be a CHRIST-follower and THEN to use that calling i our given vocation; whether it be in medicine, law, investments, retail, technology, or any other career.

Whether young or not so young, we must never neglect the spiritual gifts God has bestowed upon each and every one of us within the Body. We must be diligent to sharpen our skills and guard our faith, ready and willing to defend our beliefs even at the risk of losing our job! We must be willing to receive less and serve God and others more. We must learn early on to trust God more and people and things less. The sooner we learn these lessons and live by them the more satisfied we become and the closer we become to our Lord and Savior!

As we go, we are being watched. Even Satan is observing our progress. Are we growing closer to the image of our Creator God or drifting away? Are we relying more and more upon Him as we mature or becoming more like the world?  Are we a good soldier for Christ and a threat to Satan or can the enemy now ignore us because we have lost our salt and dimmed our light?

As we all enter into a new phase of life, let's adhere to this timeless advice . . . souls are at stake!