It was a proud moment as I watched my students receive their diplomas. I was there when these students struggled, procrastinated, worried, failed, tried again, and excelled. But at the graduation, there was only celebration, no matter how rocky the path to the goal.
Since I love a good metaphor, I can’t help noticing the comparison of a graduation ceremony to reaching heaven. We struggle, slip, fall, get up, gain ground, and struggle some more; but there is a graduation coming! In Philippians 3:14, Paul writes, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” I’m sure that he was talking about heaven and not a high school graduation, still it is important for us to celebrate the steps along the way. Don’t forget to commemorate even the small victories such as a prayer answered, a trial overcome, or a lesson learned. Each of these events moves us closer to the fulfilment of God’s great plan for our lives.