Thank you for the opportunity to join you on this special day.
Graduates, let me speak to you directly. Today is both particular and common. It is particular because friends and family are here to celebrate this day with you–with you individually. And it is a privilege for them to be a part of this real and meaningful milestone in your life. At the same time, it is also common because today marks the day you launched into your life outside the direct comforts, provisions, fellowship, and what we might say as the “umbrella of home.” Every child grows up, reaches this point, and launches into life.
Consequently, today might be called your next season, your next adventure, but today I will call this the beginning of your quest. Today initiates your life-quest.
We all know, and your parents and your friends can certainly attest as well, that your life quest is not just beginning now. In fact, up to this point, I’m confident your life has been full of formative memories, adventures, pursuits, and I’m sure shenanigans (all above board, I’m sure) and mishaps. Perhaps even mistakes and disappointments. All amalgamating into the person sitting before us today.
Nevertheless, today memorializes an uncultivated quest for each of you. Indeed, today marks the beginning of a life brimming with the potential for both success and sadness. And, it is because of these and many more possibilities on the spectrum of living in a broken world that will befall you on your quest that I offer two thoughts as arrows in your quiver.
Indeed, in keeping with the fairy tales and Arthurian legends of old, these two concepts serve as resources to aid you when you encounter challenges and to remind you to finish well.
The first is the arrow of circumspection, and the second is the arrow of commission.
(1) Circumspection
What does the word, circumspection mean? It means to see in 360 degrees. Breaking down the word, it combines circumference, which means around, and spectacle, which suggests to see or observe. So, this word implies seeing all around.
We see the apostle Paul using the idea of this word in Ephesians 5:15-16: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Now, why is circumspection so important?
Three reasons:
- You must learn to look back: Remember and honor your past.
- 2 Timothy 1:5 “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”
- As challenging as your life has been up to this point, you are still here. It took countless hours of study, sacrifice, and preparation. From getting you to class each week, ensuring your assignments were completed, and books were read. To feed you, fix your teeth (if you had braces), clothe you, and so much more. Your parents and caretakers, you, your friends, and many others have shaped the person you are today.
- Honor the relationships. Honor the Lord who provided you with this opportunity.
- Remember.
- You must always look around: Recognize your season of life.
- Nehemiah 2:13 “So I went out at night by the Valley Gate in the direction of the Dragon’s Well…inspecting the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down and its gates which were consumed by fire.”
- Look around you and recognize your season. Every season must have boundaries. You must respect your boundaries or suffer the pain of regret and consequences.
- Take inventory of your resources, relationships, and responsibilities. Seek to steward each according to their demands. You cannot do everything, but you must do the right things at the appropriate time.
- You must indeed look ahead: Plan with an open hand.
- Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.”
- Plan, prepare, and trust God.
- Embrace discipline. Discipline is the bridge between your dreams and your experience of those dreams.
- Tree illustration.
Now, let’s move on to the second arrow in your quiver. The second concept to prepare you for your life quest.
(2) Commission
What does the word, commission mean? It means to send together. Breaking down the word, it combines com-, which means with or together, and the Latin word -mittere (Meet-tear-A), which means to send. So, this word means to send together.
As Christians, we recognize this word from our Lord, Jesus Christ, as He sent out His disciples into the nations. Listen to how Matthew records it in the 28th chapter of his gospel: “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”
In practical terms, this word has at least two truths for you:
- You are being sent as a group.
- You did not accomplish your educational marks alone. Whether it was direct or indirect pressure, help, and more, those sitting around you are part of your journey.
- You are sent together as a group.
- Indeed, this is what Paul refers to in Philippians 1:27: “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel…”
- There are no lone rangers in life. In fact, even Robert Redford’s Jeremiah Johnson could not do it alone.
- Each of you has a mission to accomplish.
- Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”
- Do the Lord’s will in the Lord’s way.
- What does this mean? I can give my wife flowers with gentleness or in anger. I can throw them at her like a football, or I can gently place them in her hands, honoring her with tenderness and care.
- Your words, thoughts, and actions must align with God’s Word. And when they do not confess and seek reconciliation.
- You will be tricked into thinking material success is your mission. It goes like this, “I must provide money, fun, resources, and more for my family. I must have this position or that position. I must control this much influence. I deserve this pleasure, and more.”
- Success, according to the Bible, is defined by wisdom.
- Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
- Those words mean success: walking wisely.
- Bible wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 9:10, and fearing the Lord means to trust that God is both the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
In conclusion, we’ve briefly examined circumspection and commissioning. Your life quest must consider these two things. However, most importantly, let me conclude with this final idea.
Your ambitions and aspirations, when understood in light of God’s love, will guide you in circumspection and keep you on your mission. What do I mean?
Each of you longs to understand your purpose and meaning, and where you belong deeply. Whether you say it outright or not, you strive for this. Whether it is in relationships, colleges, grades, positions, and more. These desires are good and must be aligned with God’s love for you.
John 3:16…see God’s holiness, your sin in light of God’s holiness, His righteous wrath, His wrath poured out on Christ, Christ’s hand extended to you, you embracing this love in faith, God looking at you as He would Christ.
Walk in light of His love…walk circumspectly…you are commissioned.
— May 9, 2026