So its graduation season again! A time of ending one season and starting another. A time to be excited about future plans and next steps.

For me, this year it is different. This year, three of our pastors have kids graduating from high school. However, for Pastor TJ and Pastor Brett, this is their third and final round, but for me, this will be the first time.

I have found it to be a season that looks back, just as much, if not more, than looking forward. As a parent, I wonder if I have prepared my son as much as I could have. Is he ready for the crazy world that we live in?

For years I have discipled other people to grow in their faith. My aim, in every one of those relationships, is best described by Paul in Ephesians…

To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ –– Ephesians 4:12-15 (ESV)

There are many similarities to discipling another believer and discipling my own kids. Both take speaking the truth in love. Sharing hard truths in a way that they will hear them. Building up their view of themselves and who they truly are in Christ. Pointing out ways to grow and mature.

The way that it is most different is in preparing them for this twisted and broken world. This is vastly different with my own kids. Thinking and praying about how they need to be built up enough to withstand the crafty and cunning dangers of this world. Hoping that they are prepared enough for the deceitful schemes that others have planned for them. It causes me to look back as much as I look forward. 

I must say, as a pastor, I am equally concerned about this for you as well. Without a steadfast maturity that is grounded in Holy Spirit led truth, it can be so easy to find oneself being tossed to and fro by the words and actions of others. Swayed by ideas and ideologies that sound good because they are “close enough” to the truth. 

Since these attempts to sway are so crafty…since these attempts to distract are so cunning…we need to be vigilant in speaking the truth in love to one another. Calling each other up to a maturity and unity of the faith. 

In reality, we all find ourselves in a graduation season from time to time. A season when there is change happening around us and we need to prepare for next steps as we grow in excitement for the future. But let’s do it from a steadfast place of maturity and strength in the Lord.

So, take a moment and look back. Have you prepared enough to be strong and steadfast? Are you trying to measure up to the maturity of Jesus? Do you have others building up your faith by challenging you in love? Make his passage in Proverbs your prayer, that you would:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)