Harold Keller / L’Observateur / May 13, 1998

Graduates Face Uncertain Future – Except In Christ

Congratulations to all the young people who will be graduating from high school and college! It’s one of the most exciting times in your life.

The next few days will consist of preparation for the big day with many activities, including parties and celebrations. This time in your life willbe one of the most memorable. Let me encourage you to make it one of thehappiest and most pleasant. The people who will carry the fondestmemories into the future are those who will celebrate sober with families and friends. Please don’t allow alcohol or illegal drugs to rob youfrom enjoying something you have worked so hard to accomplish.

With all the good times you will have and the recognition you will receive, I know you also have a great expectation for a successful future. I realizethat many of you are a little frightened at the uncertainty you face. Whatdoes life hold for me? Where will I fit in? These are legitimate questions considering all the problems we have in this troubled world. Where you fit in will be up to you and will bedetermined by the choices you make.

Someone called me the other day and jokingly said “Harold, if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else.” In otherwords, many people are like ships without a rudder. They just drift out ofcontrol – no plans – no vision.

The Bible talks about the importance of having a vision. In Proverbs 29:18it says: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It’s important tohave a vision.

I was asked to speak at an elementary school graduation next week. Thetheme is ” “Today’s dreams – tomorrow’s reality.” Many people dream, butfew work to have their dreams become reality.

May I suggest that as you dream dreams and labor to see them become a reality, you concentrate on living in Christian virtues as the Bible says in Philippians 4:8, “…Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.”If you practice these things, you will be successful and experience a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Again, congratulations and best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful future! May God abundantly bless the seniors of 1998!

Harold Keller is a regular columnist for L’Observateur

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