Senior Sunday

HOOK

Good morning Seniors and Parents!

First, I want to say congratulations for the incredible accomplishment of graduating. Many of you have either already walked across the stage or are gearing up to walk across the stage within the coming weeks. I’m not much older than you - but what I can say is that while you guys are graduating, my 10 year HS reunion is happening this month. It’s wild to think that 10 years ago, I was preparing to do the very same thing you are about to do.

When i look back over the past 10 years, It’s easy to see the world has changed dramatically.

At that point in time, tiktok didn't exist, the ice bucket challenge was in full effect, and I had finally purchased my brand new iphone 6 for the whopping price of $199. 10 years later, the world looks vastly different than it did when i walked across the stage. We believed that our generation had more access to more information, apps, games, resources (good and bad) than anybody ever would. Little did we know what 2024 would look like.

Friends, i am here to tell you that graduation is not the finish line, but the starting line of your life. The entire world is ahead of you and YOU, with God’s help, have the ability to make of it what you will.

But before you run off and change the world for the better, I have to give you some advice. I know we still have a few months of summer, student camp, and a few more Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings to go before you officially head off into the world, but i would be remiss if i did not give you a few more items on your packing list for when you head off to what God has next for you in your life.

New Glasses

I don’t mean that a new set of physical glasses are necessary for you to survive in the world, but what i do mean is that a new TYPE of sight is required. 2 Corinthians 5:7 “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Hear me - faith is required for where you’re going. Sure, faith in yourself, faith in your friends and family, but above all things, Faith in Jesus. God is the one who has walked with you up to this point, and i can promise you he is pointing forward, saying “There it is - the plan that i have for your life. Do you see it? If not, that’s okay. Have faith. Let me take you there.”

Sheets

Yes, you will need actual sheets for your new bed in your new dorm, or new apartment. Yes, you need to wash them. regularly. No, turning them inside out is not the same as washing them.

More importantly I’m reminded of an incredible commencement speech by a navy seal many years ago where he talks about the importance of sheets, and why it is vital to make your bed each morning. He says this: “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right. And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made — that you made — and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better. If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”

A Sword

I hope you know that i don’t mean an actual blade - you would probably be arrested if you took a sword to college. Knowing that though, you still need to bring the sharpest blade known to man. The blade that is sharper than any double edged sword, the sword that pierces until it divides soul from spirit, joint from marrow, the very sword that is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.. you must bring your Bible. and the reason why is because you’re going into battle. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

You need to be able to defend yourself, and the only way you can is by studying, meditating, memorizing, and pouring your time and energy into this book. You’re going to buy a lot of text books where you’re going, VERY expensive ones i might add. but can i just tell you out of all of the books you are going to read, don;t neglect the most important book ever gifted to humanity - the Word of God.

Your Best Handshake

I love a good handshake. One of my favorite things to do with my friends, something we see all the time in professional sports, is to have a cool handshake. One that we made up. One that is uniquely ours. Heres what matters about having a good handshake - it’s that you can’t do it alone.

You can’t do this life alone. you were designed to be in community, and wherever it is you’re going, don’t let the world tell you that it’s okay to shake your own hand. King David in the bible perfectly exemplifies this with his friend Jonathan. These two were so close, listen to what the bible says in 1 Samuel 18:1 “… the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” Find your people - you may not believe it yet but i can tell you from experience, God is right now stirring in the heart of some 18 year old somewhere else in the country, guiding them to where you may end up, and this person is going to be a lifelong friend. So close that you wont even remember what it was like to not have that friend alongside of you. You better have a good handshake for when you meet them.

A Ruler

When i first got to college, it was 3 days after i graduated High school. I played college football so we immediately moved into the dorms and started summer workouts. I always say that when you are becoming a college athlete, while in HS you’re the big fish in your small pond. once you get to College, EVERYONE was the big fish in their small pond. Naturally it threw me for a loop in my insecurities, and unfortunately what i used to measure my sense of self was by wordly standards and not God’s. The ruler i had measured my physical abilities, what i wore, what i said, how i looked… yet that is not what God looks at. 1 Samuel 16:7 “… For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks upon the heart.”

If you want to be successful in this next season of life, learn to measure a man by what God sees - not what the world sees.

A good pair of running shoes.

You need new running shoes because first: your health is important. many of you have been student athletes, or eating whatever mom and dad makes for you. I’m here to tell you that the freshman 15 is REAL. many of you will no longer be in sports, don’t really know how to cook for yourself, and once you get tired of the on-campus dining, good ol faithful taco bell will be waiting right down the street. Prioritize your health. you only get one body - make sure and take care of it.

You’ll also need these running shoes because life is a marathon, not a sprint. you have to make sure that what you equip yourself with can sustain you for the long haul, not just the short burst. Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” You need good shoes for where God is going to take you.

Jesus.

There is no greater love, no greater connection, nothing that can satisfy your soul like Jesus can. If all of this world was to pass away, if the entire world was to fall into ruin and all you were left with was JESUS - my friends, that is enough. He can sustain you through every trial. Jesus will be the anchor for your soul, the one you can cling to, the friend in your time of joy and in your time of need.

Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”