Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president

Over the last week, social media has been full of pictures of graduation ceremonies taking place around the nation and within this conference.

Pictures of smiling graduates in cap and gown alongside proud parents and grandparents. Pictures of final moments at colleges, high schools, and grade schools as one of life’s great moments and transitions takes place. So far this year, I have attended three different graduation ceremonies in person. We have even hosted a graduation party for someone who recently completed a master’s degree.

Along with graduation services comes a new view.

A view of a new school for those going on to other educational pursuits. A view of a full-time job for those who have had enough of school and want to experience the working world. A view of empty bedrooms at homes as students move into a new apartment or dorm room in a city far away from their parents. Transitions are exciting, traumatic and at times even scary. Transitions into these new views are real growth experiences.

These transitions lead to new views that are often unfamiliar and at times are not clear until you are there.

Genesis 12:1 tells us about a new view that was also unknown.

From a human perspective that is quite a tall order. God was not saying I want you to go to this city or this university. He is saying start walking and when you get there, I will tell you that you have arrived. Quite a request. I am not sure how the conversation Abram had with his wife and family went when he shared the news. The servants who were there may have even wondered if Abram had lost his mind as news spread that they were going to start walking and would know when they arrived that they had arrived.

The point is Abram started walking following the prompting of God.

That is really all that God asks of any of us. Keep walking with Him. At times, we may know exactly where He is sending us. Other times, He may ask us to start walking, and He’ll tell us when we get there.

The point is are you pausing to listen to God?

Are you taking time to seek His will for your life and then following that will no matter how scary, traumatic or unfamiliar the view may be? Keep listening and keep following.