I’ve walked across the graduation stage four times at four different schools. I can’t recall a single word uttered by my commencement speakers. But I’ll never forget the sage advice loved ones gave me as I approached life after graduation.
Having worked with more than a million young people through Summit Ministries, here are my seven top talking points for inspiring the graduates you want to bless:
- “Your conscience is your most important possession. Take care of it.”
You will be asked to violate your conscience, whether by a teacher who demands that you believe crazy stuff, or by a boss wanting to shame you into some woke policy. Don’t take the bait. Just say, “My conscience tells me this is not the best way, and I hope that you will respect my conscience as I respect yours.” Professors and policies come and go. Your conscience is forever. - “Bad ideas have a short shelf life. Most are stale by the time you hear them.”
If someone hates on you for not believing some idea, it’s probably something dumb. Don’t automatically go along. Remember that people fall for really terrible ideas (like communism) all the time. Instead, push back by asking questions like “What do you mean by that?” “How do you know that’s true?” “What happens if you’re wrong?” - “You will never rise higher than the people you surround yourself with. Choose friends wisely.”
Wise friends show respect to others. Foolish friends show contempt. Wise friends stand against bullies. Foolish friends become bullies. Wise friends put others first. Foolish friends put themselves first. Be friendly to all but only allow yourself to be influenced by those who lift you up and challenge you to be your best. - “If you take risks, you will fail. Make a habit of getting back up quickly.”
Most people stumble and fall at some point. We humans do dumb and shortsighted things. But that doesn’t have to establish the pattern of our lives. Get back up. Be brave. Your worst moments don’t define you. You can always change for the better starting right now. - “You need old people, and they need you.”
Look for people who are doing a great job and try to be like them. Don’t just collect information; seek wisdom. Pray for it. Seek people who have it. Take them to coffee and ask questions. We can’t control everything around us, but we can control who we turn to for advice. - “Be the kind of person you want to be around.”
People are drawn to those who say, “There you are!” rather than “Here I am.” Ask yourself every day, “What is happening around me and how can I help?” If you’re ever unsure of what to do, ask, “How would a good man (or woman) handle this situation?”
- “Seek God and he will take care of everything else.”
People are controlled by whatever they desire most. For some, that’s getting a good job. But having a good job won’t make you a good person. That’s why Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Whatever you say to that hopeful, fresh-faced graduate, be sure you’re communicating this: “You’re becoming a man (or woman) who doesn’t flinch in the face of what is hard. I am proud of you and always will be.”