A few years ago, I published Amy Young’s thoughts from the Messy Middle. At the time, she was writing from Beijing, China, where she was a teacher. She’s stateside now, but I’ve always appreciated her voice and insightful writing.
I was very impressed with her address to her school’s graduating seniors. She gave great wisdom when she warned them about “The voices” they will hear for the rest of their lives.
Reading her words, I realize I hear the same voices – and you’ll hear them, too. You’re too old or too young. That you’re not good-looking enough or smart enough. I wish someone would have told me about these voices when I was young, so kudos to Amy for her encouragement. Here’s a snippet of her address, a reprint from 2013.
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The heart of my message for you as you embark on the rest of life your life is beware the voices that whisper to you …
The greatest call on your life is to be a college graduate or have an MA or a PhD
The greatest call on your life is to be a graduate from school XYZ
The greatest call on your life is to choose the right major
The greatest call on your life is to get the best job
The greatest call on your life is to find something fulfilling and useful to the kingdom and leave the smallest carbon footprint while documenting how cool you are on instagram
The greatest call on your life is to marry a God-honoring man
The greatest call on your life is to keep an amazing home and use it as a place to minister to weary souls
The greatest call on your life it to cure cancer or write music or teach school
The greatest call on your life is to return to China and use your childhood for His glory
The greatest call on your life is motherhood
The greatest call on your life is to die debt free and surrounded by loved ones.
Thereareechoes of truth in each of these whispers …
As we, your loving community, launch you into adulthood and celebrate all you and your parents have accomplished as represented by this high school graduations we say to you –
The greatest call on your life is to follow Christ.
Listen daily for the whisper that says “I am my beloveds and He is mine.”
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