Editor’s note: This devotion is adapted from CTA’s new book for graduates, New Beginnings for Graduates. Written by Tim Wesemann in his always-popular style, all the devotions and articles in this book will encourage and uplift recent graduates. (It’s value-priced, too!)
Congratulations! The last four years are officially filed away in your memory. The classroom doors have closed and your future lies, wide open, ahead of you!
How are you feeling now? Confident? Shaky? Excited? Confused? Not sure? Maybe a mixture of it all? That’s all normal and good. Even though you may have told your parents you have everything figured out, you realize you don’t.
It’s great to know you’re not making this new beginning on your own. The One named Jesus offers to guide you. If you haven’t done so yet, take some time to look back over the last few years. On your trip down memory lane, watch for specific markers—those that show the hand of God shaping your past. When you see his faithfulness there, it will help give you the hope, clarity, and encouragement you need to move into the future with confidence.
You’re likely praying for a smooth transition and for new adventures packed with potential. Your Lord has lots of experience with both. He brought Joshua from the status of student to that of teacher and a leader with stature (Numbers 11:28; Joshua 1). He helped Deborah transition smoothly into a position of leadership (Judges 4–5). And he transitioned Timothy from studying God’s Word to teaching it (2 Timothy 1:5–6; 3:14–15).
What will he do through and for you? It will be exciting to watch his plans unfold day by day. Watch as his blessings overflow. Let what you see and experience empower you. Allow the Holy Spirit to encourage your faith through the his Word.
The Lord holds out these words of promise to you, just as he did for his people long ago:
I know the plans I have for you, . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
You have a certain hope and a bright future because of Jesus Christ and all he’s done for you! Enjoy the journey ahead! Congratulations and God’s blessings on the new beginnings that lie ahead of you!
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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.