Gò0dNews for Teens
You Have A Purpose
S
by Bridget Gray
pring has officially sprung (finally!), and high school
your life. Think about the things you love. Think about your
seniors all over the country are moving closer to
skills, your strengths, your talents. God gave those to you
the day they’ve been counting down to for the past
for a reason. He didn’t give us all the same gifts, so don’t
four years. For them, this day cannot seem to get here fast
ever feel like you have to go with the flow. Don’t fall into
enough. For their parents, this day is arriving too quickly.
the trap of comparison and feel like you don’t measure up.
In just over a month, high school seniors will don their caps and gowns, the high school band will strike up the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance,” mamas will cry buckets of tears, dads will fuss over the camera…Folks, it’s almost High School Graduation Day. My own high school graduation was just a little over 20 years ago. As I recall that time, I can’t help but think, “If I knew then what I know now…” I think about the life lessons I’ve learned in all the years since I walked down the halls of my own high school. Would the teen years have been any smoother or easier? If I had had a little peek into
Don’t take a certain path in life because it seems like the
the future, would it have mattered? If I may, here is just one
easiest or the most sensible.
thing I would tell a soon-to-be-graduate. Each and every one of you has a God-given purpose in
What is it that you’re passionate about? What gets you excited and makes you want to dive in 100%? Take that
this life. You do. Not only do you have a purpose, but you
and treasure it, mold it, and develop it. Work on it, parlay
have a God-given purpose specifically given to YOU. The
it into your education or career, and you will be starting
Lord tells us in Jeremiah 1:5, “I knew you before I formed
out on a solid foundation. The end of that verse says He
you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you
has “appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” There’s a
apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” He
reason for your gift, for your talent, for your interests! There
formed and molded each and every one of us for a purpose
is a reason and a purpose for YOU. Cling to the Lord and He
and has given us gifts to fulfill that purpose.
will guide you to your purpose—His purpose.
So what does that mean to a high school graduate? figured out just what you want to do with your life yet (and that’s okay), don’t ever think that there isn’t a purpose to
20 // April 2020
About The Author
It means that even if you don’t see it, even if you haven’t Bridget Gray is a native Roman & received her BA in English from the University of West Georgia in 2002. A self-professed “book nerd”, Bridget enjoys roaming through Barnes & Noble in her rare free time. Bridget & her family (husband Jarrett & daughters Carter & Avery) attend LIFE Church.
