It's graduation time again and many high school 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, though I have heard a few less this year, there are those flowery speeches, painting pictures of graduates going out into the world and achieving all their dreams. But do we tell our graduates the truth?
Yes, it's also time for my speech in print again, reminding graduates that the world is not as rosy a place as many educators and graduation speakers are likely to portray it. It's also full of trouble and heartache and disappointment.
We may wish our graduates success and true happiness in this world, but we also know all too well from our own experiences that those hopes and dreams 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 may dream of a perfect world, but it is a world infected with evil and heartbreak.
This doesn't mean it is impossible to live successful and productive lives. I certainly hope our graduates will find much happiness and joy along the way. But, at the same time, it would be dishonest not to tell them they will face untold challenges and also come to know hurt, disappointment and pain. Not everything will go as they hoped and planned, and there will be times when it seems like nothing has.
There is a reason for all of this. The reason (even though many do not believe it) goes back to a historical event recorded in the book of Genesis, in chapter three: the fall of mankind into sin! Though we still have hopes and dreams of a perfect life in a perfect world -- not surprising since we were made for such -- 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 children.
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 -- current interpretation of the law may not even allow it. But think about it. Whose words are true? The commencement speaker who talks of nothing but successes, accomplishments and realized dreams? Or the speaker who says life is hard and not all will go as you planned, but don't give up because there is in Jesus Christ hope and a solution to the evil in this world and in our own lives?
And so, in the midst of all the flowery speeches, painting a near-perfect picture of the future for our young graduates here in this world, I speak of a far-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 Jesus Christ and what He has done to redeem them from sin and evil and place their hopes and dreams in Him. He is the only One who can remedy our imperfections and the heartaches of this life and lead us safely through all the troubles we will face to Himself in heaven!
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.