I don’t want to belabor the concept of resolutions, new beginnings, or change for the sake of change, but the whole idea is worth another day’s thoughts. You are going to be faced with new circumstances and challenges until you graduate. Therefore you will constantly be placed in a position where you have to revaluate what you thought you had figured out yesterday or the day before. Facing the unknown in life is difficult, at best. However, there is a way that lessens the stress and makes the road easier to navigate. Remember – change is good. If you don’t believe that you are in for a rough ride.
Each of you learned the value of reading and knowledge acquisition. Those skills helped you make the tests in life less difficult and intimidating. In 1977 Gail Sheehy wrote a book called Passages – Predictable crises of adult life that sold over 5 million copies. The book had little, if any information on spiritual matters. Just because we are not “of this world” does not mean we do not have to live in it and cope with the issues we encounter. The information contained in the book proved to be especially insightful to those willing to prepare for their futures. When the events or semblances of the events occurred they didn’t feel strange or out of place. There was a sense of peace in meeting the issue and walking through the process. The advantage comes to those who are prepared.
I discovered during my years as a professional speaker that most of those who met the membership requirements of the National Speaker’s Association were NOT extroverted, insecure, babbling, rah-rah suits. They were the opposite. They were, in many cases, introverted professionals with an amazing grasp of and ability to communicate their area of expertise. Many experienced at least mild anxiety before every speech. However, they studied and prepared for their audiences in the same way a baseball player prepares for the World Series. They looked ahead and when the lights came up, they made it look easy, the same way Alex Rodriquez or Albert Pujols looks in the batter’s box.
I want each of you to achieve the greatness The Father destined you for. In each case that will look, taste, feel and smell differently. There is no reason for you to aspire to something and not achieve it, if God is on board with you. Step one is the secular or worldly part. Earl Nightengale made a statement he made had massive implications in my life. It went something like this: “You can become an expert in any field you aspire to if you invest one to two hours a day for three to five years.” He was right. I am on my sixth career now and would have it no other way. Step two is the spiritual or eternal part. You must understand with absolute certainty that God means what He says: (1) He wants you to have the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4), (2) if you ask with the right heart God will hear your request (1 John 5:14) and with the Spirit of God in you, you are greater than yourself along (1 John 4:4). You have unlimited ability to plan, prepare and achieve more than any normal human. You have nothing to limit the bounds of what you can accomplish. Now, go change the world.
Love Dad