Advice to Graduates

by Abdiel Medina

After 1 year of preschool, 5 years of elementary school, 3 years of middle school, and 4 years of high school, I have finally graduated. It feels like time has flown by fast, but a lot has happened in the process—especially surviving a pandemic! When I reflect upon my journey in high school, something I take away is that we need to seek opportunities to encourage people daily. Every day there are people struggling and hurting around us. Even in Cleveland, the “Bible Belt,” there are a lot of teens struggling with adultsized problems. We cannot afford to wait until we start seeing red flags in a person to intervene—it could be too late. The encouragement of others needs to start today.

You do not need a fancy sermon or any special words to encourage someone. The key is to be genuine and let God speak through you. If you are fake with the words you use, it could actually hurt the person instead of helping them. Furthermore, our Holy Father knows the words a person needs to hear.

Hebrews 4:12 declares, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

God knows all of the thoughts of our heart and how to connect with us on a personal level. When you pray to Him to give you the words of encouragement to share, it is amazing the impact it can have on a person. I am sure everyone has experienced moments when someone has wrote you a letter, sent you a text, or maybe you are just listening to worship music on the radio and it is exactly what you need to hear. Our Father knows what we need to be uplifted spiritually and emotionally, so let God work through you to encourage others.

Here is an example of how God has worked through others to encourage me. I was recently recognized as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Athlete of the Year from a group of 7 schools. I also had the honor of receiving the Chris Leggett Memorial Scholarship. What people may not know is that throughout the school year, there were many times I almost gave up on the FCA Ministry.

I was passionate about the FCA—a calling God had placed on my heart. However, it was a big challenge because I had stepped up as president and had to learn how to lead the FCA amidst a pandemic and Covid protocols from the school. I am grateful that God placed Coach Eric Phillips in my life. He served as my FCA sponsor and would constantly encourage and believe in me. My family was also a big encouragement to me throughout the FCA, they helped carry the burden of stress from the overwhelming times I experienced. Due to the encouragement they gave me, I was motivated to keep on going with the FCA Ministry. I had many opportunities to share Christ with people at my school and help Christians grow as leaders and in their walk with Christ.

After reflecting upon my journey in high school and the FCA, I have come to recognize the great need for us to encourage others and to be around people that encourage us. By doing so, we are demonstrating God’s love and helping fight the good fight.

About The Author Abdiel Medina is an energetic nerd, CHS Alumni, and college bound for Lee University! He desires to pursue Christ, and help others grow as leaders and in their walk of Christ!