Sunday night we had a “farewell to the graduates” time after our evening service. There were seven seniors sitting there (two were out of town). As Dave and I looked at them we were saddened! It was almost like sending off one (or more) of our own children. Some of these kids we had known since they were in grade school. We were their Sunday School teachers, Awana directors, Choir directors, and junior high staff. We told their parents when they had misbehaved in class. We watched them go from being way shorter than me to way taller than me. We listened to them work out relational conflicts, go through a variety of “crushes”, change their hairstyles and grow facial hair. We attempted to instill God’s Word into their hearts (many times to see them stare back glassy-eyed, or seem to not pay attention at all). It’s hard to describe all that we were feeling, but one predominant thought was regret. Regret that we didn’t spend more time with them. That we didn’t listen more, that we didn’t make ourselves more available, that we didn’t laugh with them more, that we didn’t savor their differences more. That we didn’t overlook more, that we didn’t confront more, that we didn’t encourage more, that we didn’t pray for them more.

As I sat there watching and listening to them I was impressed with the fact that God will have His way with us. God had grown these young people up in spite of us, not because of us. Yes, there were many opportunities that we neglected, but God will have His way. What we “become” is not the result of where we come from, what we were exposed to, who raised us, what opportunities we had, or even really how faithful we were with what we have been given. What we “become” is what God designed us to be, for the task He called us to, for the glory He plans to reveal for Himself. Perhaps I should apologize for sounding like I’m carrying the predestination banner. That is not my purpose-to weigh in on that debate here. I am not saying that we have no choice in the matter, that we are all puppets, and what we do or say has no bearing upon things. Actually, I believe that what we do and say is of great importance and has eternal value. And on of the most valuable, all-important things that we can do is to submit and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. What I’ve been learning about humility is key here. I am convinced that humility is the key to becoming what God wants us to be. It is so very hard to die to your dreams and desires, your own plans and ambitions and say to God, “I want you to have your way in me”.

Looking at the graduates sitting there--their backgrounds so diverse, their personalities so variegated, their experiences so extreme--it was easy to see that God’s plan for each one of them is as unique as they are. But what will make the lasting and eternal success will be how freely and deeply they allow God to slay pride in them and befriend humility. How agile they become at climbing upon the altar and dying to selfish ambition, self-love and personal desires and wholly sell out to allowing God to have His way with every aspect of their lives. I have walked with Jesus long enough to see many who started out, fall away or turn back. Oh, I pray earnestly that these precious ones don’t! I pray they persevere and overcome to live a life of complete abandon of self and unwavering devotion to Christ!