It’s graduation season. Preschool, Kindergarten, High School, College, Graduate School. All across the nation, this month will contain various graduations in honor of those who have completed the necessary coursework and earned their diploma.

Commencement is held and speeches are given, but what are the nuggets of wisdom being shared with graduates today?  “Dream big dreams!” “Chase your dream!” “Strive to be the biggest, and best!” “Make a name for yourself!” “Keep going, keep climbing, keep running for more credentials!” “You did it!” “You’ve arrived.” “Don’t forget to pay back those loans.” “Give money to the school and continue to support the university as an alumni.”

Is that the best we can give our graduates today? It seems vague and uninspiring, not to mention hardly preparing these students for the future and what life may bring once the “Pomp and Circumstance” has ended. Maybe it’s been awhile since you heard a commencement speech of your own, but do you remember the message? More than likely you can’t even remember the name of the speaker. And how has your life changed in the course of events since that Spring day? Did you accomplish all you set out to do? Did you put your degree to work and gain employment in the field you desire?

We may expect a secular school to push a worldly agenda, but Christian schools certainly should make the main point of a commencement speech about seeking God first and encouraging graduates to strive after God’s plan for them. Instead of leaning so heavily on what the world expects, Christian schools should spend more time telling their graduates how to go about living according to the identity and purpose God has given them. Our job as believers is to counter the worldly view in a Biblical manner and application. What graduates need to hear today is that God has a plan for their life. God created them for good works. God desires to use these students for something greater than themselves. God equips us with gifts and talents and we can use those blessings to tell the world about Him – to bring Him honor and glory.

The world wants to distract with accolades and awards and achievements, as if just working hard, earning a paycheck, and taking care of your family is a bad thing. The world wants us to think we have to “be somebody” and “do something big” in order to be valued and made worthy. Newsflash: We don’t have to strive to win the world, because as believers our goal is not to be friends with the world.

James 4:4, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

The world is not your competition. Kind of like a small “Mom and Pop” store is not considered a competitor for the big box chain stores and retailers. The world exists and operates around us, but it’s not our competition. We are in the world, but we are not to be of it.

John 17:16, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

Romans 12:2 reminds us no to be conformed to this world. The world has its own agenda. The world does not want to be subdued by God, nor does it want to tolerate or allow the light of Christ to infiltrate its markets and operations. The world seeks domination and wants to lure you into its rat race. 1 John 4:5, “They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective, and the world listens to them.”

The book of Ecclesiastes would make the perfect commencement speech. In the chapters of that book are nestled little words of wisdom and sound advice from a life that has lived on this earth and seen the fading pleasures and experienced the vanity of what the world has to offer.

Ecclesiastes 3:22, “I have seen that nothing is better than when a person is happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?”

Graduates need to be encouraged to find joy in their life and their work. Stay faithful to the Lord while on their job. Be honest in their dealings. Pay a fair wage. Respect their boss. Work hard. Don’t steal from their employer.

Ecclesiastes 5:3-5, “Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool. When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.”

There is nothing wrong with living the life God has blessed you with. It is good to take pride in your work and to enjoy what you do and celebrate your successes along the way. But it is also important to remember that not every day of your job will be roses. And in those “not-so-good” days, it would be good to be reminded of Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Why are those good and godly things not encouraged at commencement? Graduates should be encouraged to be good stewards of what God has given them. They should be encouraged to use the gifts and talents God has given them to bring honor and glory to His name. God is the One who has given us these gifts. The best way we can say thanks to Him is to use these gifts to make much of Him and to point others to His Gospel and saving grace.  

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, “Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.”

Instead, as students go out in a dog-eat-dog world, they are encouraged to live for self so they can “afford” a “better life.” As if the total sum of our existence is to make millions so we can “retire” with wealth, luxury, and comfortable living. Students and adults are encouraged to work their life away for companies and organizations so that when they retire in their 60s and 70s, they can “enjoy life.” Doesn’t anyone know that we can’t live forever? And when you arrive at 70 years old, who is to say your health and lifestyle and family situation will allow you to “live freely” and “do as you desire”? That’s a big assumption.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-4, “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly. Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.”

The Lord has given each of us talents and gifts to use – and we are able to live and be supported through these. We all have gifts the Lord has given us and we can put them to use right now, doing what we love, and getting paid for it at the same time.

Ecclesiastes 3:13, “And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.”

But the conflict comes when we begin to compare and compete for “more”. We are not content until we have made a six-figure income, bought our “dream home”, take lavish vacations, and keep up with the desires of the world.

Ecclesiastes 12:12, “But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.”

Students are shown that contentment comes with the world and the hustling it demands. What a lie. The world can never give us peace in life. Peace only comes from Christ. And it’s a peace we can have no matter what degree we hold.

John 14:27, “Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.”

John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus came to earth through a humble birth. He lived what the world would call a “simple” life. He was obedient to the Father and He is our greatest example. He sought out those the world would’ve deemed mundane, average, or worse – outcasts, rejected, and deplorable. He made them great and He helped them see that they are valuable to Him. He lavished love and kindness on them. Not because of anything they did, but because of who He is. He saved them and gave them His peace and they served Him with their life and found purpose and meaning and most importantly, joy.

That’s the key – that’s what graduates need to hear at commencement. Jesus came and died for you! He loves you so much, He created you with a purpose and a plan! And His desire is for you to know Him, to love Him, and to follow Him. He wants salvation for you.

Ecclesiastes 12:13, “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty.”