Tis the season for graduation and new beginnings. As high school and college graduations take place this month, I think about the graduates and the incredible journeys ahead of them. College graduates especially are stepping into something very new. They are trading what has been a life of school for a new job, new friends, maybe a new location and residence. So much new and unknown waiting for them to encounter. So much to be discovered and experienced. It’s such an exciting time for them – a time of extraordinary faith, hope, and trust in God’s plan for them. And I admit I am a little envious. I refer to it as being ‘happily jealous.’ I am extremely happy for them, yet I wish I was also embarking on a new journey, preparing for who-knows-what, and eagerly taking steps forward in great faith, hope, and trust for the plan God has for me.
As we settle down, we tend not to have as many opportunities for absolute ‘newness’ come our way. Maybe a new job or a new home now and then, but a completely open, new and unknown future? Not as much. We are used to planning the best we can, making decisions that are good for our families, and doing what we can to take care of our immediate needs. All of those are good and necessary, but there is still room for us to grow and journey. There are still opportunities for us to discover God’s immense love for us as we never have before. So, how in our somewhat settled lives can we find that ‘newness,’ that eager anticipation, to inspire us to take new steps in greater faith, hope, and trust? We might not have to go as far as we think.
Throughout our lives God calls us to be open to new ideas, take on new missions, and certainly confront new challenges. If we are aware and prayerful as we look and listen with open hearts, we will encounter the Lord’s invitation to something new. Our something new may be fairly simple: engage a new friend, join a new ministry, or contemplate a new daily prayer. Or our something new might ask a little more of us: forgive someone whose act against us has been a heavy burden; treat those who test our patience and good will with respect as children of God; go beyond our comfort level to bring the love of Christ to someone in need.
Our opportunities to experience new growth in faith, hope, and trust in God’s plan for us are undoubtedly there – just waiting for us to notice and accept them. Let us pray for the grace of awareness so our hearts see and hear the Lord’s invitation to something new in Him. May this be a season of ‘new’ for all of us.
Journeying to Grace 