WESTSIDE — It’s graduation time once again and large numbers of seniors are taking that huge step out into the world - whether it be going away to a college or technical school, entering the job market, serving in the military or getting married and starting a new family. And there will be ceremonies and flowery speeches, exalting the work students have already completed and painting pictures of them achieving all their dreams.

Though graduation is an important milestone in the lives of our young people, it also can be a bit scary for them and for the rest of us as we see them leave the security of their homes and families and set out on their own. If they are like my generation, they set out with hopes and dreams for the future - hopes for a successful career, a happy marriage and a good and loving family. We wish them the same, but we also know all too well from our own experiences that those hopes and dreams we have for that perfect life where we all live “happily ever after” are quickly shattered by the reality of the world in which we live. We dream of a perfect world but find that we and the world inwhich we live are far from perfect.

As I watched my own children grow up and go out on their own, it scared me knowing the hurt and pain they would suffer in their lives - some of it because of their own foolish mistakes and some because of the world in which we live. I feel the same as I watch our young people who are graduating now. They may have already experienced and accomplished much in their school years, but now they must take this big step into the rest of their lives. How will they do? What will happen to them?

Though I have written this before, I will say it again.

I don’t doubt that many will be successful and lead productive lives. I certainly expect our graduates, for the most part, will find much happiness and joy along the way. But, at the same time, I want them to know that they will face untold challenges and also come to know hurt, disappointment and pain. Not everything will go as they hope and plan, and there will be times when it seems like nothing has.

There is a reason for all of this (even though many may not believe it). The reason goes back to a historical event recorded for our learning in the book of Genesis, the third chapter. We have hopes and dreams of a perfect life in a perfect world - not surprising since we were made for such - but neither the world nor our lives are perfect anymore.Hence, dreams are shattered by evil, tragedy, sickness, pain and ultimately death. To say anything less might be more pleasing to the ear, but it would also be untruthful and dishonest to our young people.

The solution and remedy for our imperfect lives in an imperfect world is also found in the same Book, where it is promised that the Seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent and remove the curse brought upon us - a promise fulfilled by the crucified and risen Messiah and Savior who is in the Book of Revelation pictured coming again in glory to establish an eternal kingdom in which there will be no more tears, sorrow or death.

Not many of the speeches you hear at graduation time paint such a picture of life. But think about it. Whose words are true? The commencement speaker who talks of nothing but success, accomplishments and realized dreams? or the speaker who says life’s hard and not all will go as you planned, but don’t give up because there is hope?

And so, in the midst of all the flowery speeches, painting an almost perfect picture of the future for our young graduates here in this world, I speak of a less than perfect world in which joy and happiness are mixed with pain and sorrow.

While most would direct our graduates to hope in themselves and never give up on their hopes and dreams, I would direct our young graduates to learn of and place their hopes and dreams in the only One who can remedy our imperfections and the heartaches of this life and lead us safely through this life to Himself in heaven!

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by e-mail at rmoll@nwaonline .com.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 05/18/2011