What NOT To Do Next!

Graduates, I want to start by saying, “Congratulations!”

You have each worked hard and we are excited for you as you begin this next phase of your education!

And there’s no doubt that you have been receiving advice and wise counsel from parents and other mentors and leaders, maybe even older siblings, about what to expect during high school and you’ve no doubt been hearing a lot about the things you need TO DO.

So tonight, I would like to compliment that TO DO list with a different list - Three Things NOT to Do Next!

Now, these aren’t in any particular order, but I believe that they are each important for you to consider.

We often hear these phrases and cliques at graduations and other occasions and on the surface they sound pretty good…but when we take a look through the lens of Scripture, we see a different picture…so Number One thing NOT to do:

1. Don’t Listen to Your Heart!

In a world of heart-seeking and follow-your-heart wishes and dreams, this is an uphill challenge…but it is SO worth the effort!

Our culture says that our hearts should be the greatest authority in our lives and if we just follow them, we will find happiness and all our dreams will come true.

But as Christians, we must ask ourselves, “What does God say about our hearts?”

As we consider this rather harsh evaluation, it seems so different from what we hear from our society.

The problem is, in order to follow someone or something, we must first TRUST that thing or person…but according this this verse, we cannot trust our hearts.

Instead of following your hearts, follow the Lord:

Keep close to the Lord through His Word.

Read your Bible, let it guard your hearts.

Allow the Lord to be your guide and your guard.

And DON’T listen to your heart!…Listen to the Lord!

2. Don’t Be True to Yourself!

Another message you have no doubt heard is that the SELF is the greatest ethic in your life.

What you believe about yourself IS important!…We are hardly saying that the self is unimportant…just that the self is not the MOST important!

I like how the Apostle Paul summed it up in Romans 12:3

Notice it’s a balanced view…if you strive to be true to ONLY to yourselves, and leave the Lord and other people out, you will always be disappointed.

We need to be true to the Lord because He IS truth!

So don’t be true to yourself!…Be true to THE Truth!

3. Don’t Follow Your Dreams!

This last message about dreams can be confusing…often times we have a certain affinity for things…we enjoy certain activities and we often try to imagine our future selves doing that thing as our job.

Some of you have wanted a certain job or career for a long time…others of you are still figuring that out, which is ok, you have time.

But, just like the heart and the self, dreams have also become a standard for decision making and for our expectations.

This world will tell you that if you can dream it, you WILL achieve it!

And while the Bible places no limits on your potential, God does have a plan and a purpose for each one of you.

You were created On purpose, FOR purpose!

Ephesians 3:20

If we were to tell you, as you enter high school, to follow YOUR dreams only, we would be holding you back.

God offers you something BETTER than your dreams...

According to these verses, God has things in store for you that you haven’t thought of, you haven’t imagined, and that you have never dreamed of even in your wildest dreams!

God is offering you something BETTER than your own dreams…God is offering you HIS dreams for you!

So don’t follow your dreams…learn to follow the Lord’s dreams for you!