It’s that time of year. Remember the feeling when you heard your name called and you proceeded across the stage to receive your diploma. Somebody spoke the words, “Congratulations on your graduation.” You’d done it. All the hard work had paid off.
Now, multiply that feeling a thousand-fold! Picture yourself standing in the Presence of the One who will award us with the crown of righteousness while the saints of the ages look on. Paul wrote about that day when he said in the Book of 2 Timothy: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown.” Let’s look at how we can “graduate” this life with honors.
First, by living an unselfish life. I read that “there’s no greater obstacle to the life that God has planned for you than selfishness.” Self-promotion and ego pollute our souls and destroy relationships.
Second, by living a sacrificial life. The gift of salvation that God offers through Jesus Christ is free, but… graduation with honors costs dearly. I wrote last week about the suffering that St. Paul had to deal with throughout his ministry. Yet, he never gave up. He got discouraged but he never gave up. Paul sacrificed it all for the cause that he believed in and lived out every day of his life. Intimacy with Christ was his consuming passion. Paul decided that, regardless of the cost, graduating with honors was worth it.
Finally, by living a focused life. Great achievers stay focused on their goal. They filter out the extraneous and hone in on their target like a missile. Paul had a strong faith in God and the purpose God had called him to. He wrote this cool verse: “Fight the good fight of the faith… in Jesus Christ.” He knew that it wasn’t enough to be strong in faith, you must also be strong in your “fight.”
Have you ever let fear, criticism or past failures dictate your direction? They probably caused you to drift aimlessly through your days. Graduating with honors required focus. It requires singleness of focus. It requires forgetting past failures and, instead, having intense anticipation of future success. One of my favorite Bible verses challenges me and encourages me every day! It is Phillipians 3:14… “Looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to receive the heavenly prize.” Put on your own “full court press” and you too will one day graduate with honors. But… let Jesus be your Head Coach.
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