I heard some awful advice for graduates

What a superintendent of a local public school district told graduates exemplifies the spirit of this present age.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

I went to a high school commencement last night. The superintendent of a local school district gave some advice to the class of 2023 that jumped out at me.

"Do what makes you happy. You are only accountable to yourself."

This advice exemplifies the spirit of this present age. It also reminds me of what the Bible said about the people of Israel during the period of judges.

"In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes," (Judges 21:25, ESV).

“Do what makes you happy.”

Now, obviously, as parents, we want our kids to be happy. No one wants their kids to be unhappy.

But shouldn't there be a qualifer here? What makes that graduate happy? What is that happiness rooted in?

I know I would like my kids to be happy, but more than that I want them to experience joy. Joy that is rooted in Christ Jesus. Rejoicing in His goodness; experiencing joy that only His grace can bring.

Proverbs 10:28 says, "The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish," (ESV).

“You are only accountable to yourself."

That's not true. It’s a lie from the pit of hell. It smells like smoke.

The Bible says, “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God," (Romans 14:12, ESV).

One day we will stand before God, and not just give an account of our life, but what we have done with His Son. Will we only come before God with our deeds and decisions with which even our good deeds are like dirty rags before Him? Or will He see Christ’s righteousness?

My advice to graduates is this (to paraphrase the end of the Westminster Shorter Catechism): Glorify God in your studies, in your work, in your family, in your hobbies, with your friends, and in your speech, thoughts, and actions. And enjoy Him forever as you experience a life-giving relationship with God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Only in Christ can we experience true joy.