It’s the end of the world. At least it is if you believe all the billboards announcing May 21 as Judgment Day. Even if you are not moved to a state of panic from the incredibly convincing billboards (which appear to be more of an ill-disguised publicity campaign for Family Radio), mid-May still can seem like the end of the world for college students who are about to enter into the adult world. Graduation marks a farewell to four (five for some) of the most formative years of one’s life.
During my four years at ACU I was able to surround myself with some of the most endearing, godly and wise people I will ever meet, both inside and outside the classroom. But most of all, I now am blessed to have earned what 93 percent of the world’s population has not been so lucky to achieve – a college degree. The times in between Welcome Week as a freshman, when I knew almost no one and was scared I wouldn’t make any friends, to the final week of school, marked by laughter, hugs and good memories with more friends than I could ever imagine, were some of the best times of my life.
But I hope these years are not the best times of my life. I’ve had plenty of conversations with adults who act as if college was the highlight of their existence and I think that’s a little sad. Surely life doesn’t peak at age 22. Surely marriage, finally finding that dream job, buying your first house, having children, entering retirement and many other life experiences won’t pale in comparison to living on ramen noodles and working on class projects until 3 in the morning. I choose to believe the best years of life are ahead rather than behind me.
Post-graduation does appear daunting to many of us who still are looking for jobs in an uncertain economy. It’s always hard to leave a place where there are so many fond memories. But if there is one thing I’ve learned during my time in college it is that God is not a passive observer of my life, and I shouldn’t be either. He is always walking alongside me. Remembering that, graduation certainly doesn’t appear to be the end of the world.
