Senioritis

Of late, I have been telling people that I hate the month of May. From a distance, May seems so pleasant and so promising. Spring is in full bloom with warm temperatures, lush green grass, and the expectation of another glorious summer is so close you can almost taste it. Due to my job, that expectation is bitter sweet. Sweet because summer always brings loads of fun and adventure with family, friends and students. The bitter comes from a combination of having to prepare for all the future festivities and the complexities brought on by "the end." By "the end," I mean all that comes with the culmination of another school year: graduation, graduation parties, awards days, etc, etc, etc.

Thankfully, last night, if only for a moment, I was reminded of everything beautiful with the month of May. Each year, we put on a Senior Night for the graduating students of Grace Church. Our goal is to both humiliate and honor the seniors in a creative and professional way. For two hours (or so) we put on an Oscar-style night filled with awards, photos, cover songs and a plethora of pot-shots aimed at all the seniors. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much. It was quite impressive to the see the night come together with few to no hiccups.

Towards the conclusion of the evening we transitioned into a time of musical worship, prayer and one last charge to the class of 2010. It's hard to put into words how it feels to reflect on seven years of memories with approximately 30 high school students including Bible studies, retreats, mission trips, late night food runs, summer volleyball and pool outings. But more than all of that, most meaningful was thinking about how much life change has occurred in that group. As a leader, nothing is more gratifying than realizing how many of those students are giving their lives away because they believe in the gospel. An eternal investment with eternal rewards. To believe so deeply in something that you sacrifice your time, money, energy and interests for others is truly amazing.

As I read Ephesians 2:1-10 to our students, the power of the Holy Spirit was so comforting as he reminded me that loving God and loving others is always worthwhile. It is by God's grace that we have been saved. It is not because of anything we do. And because of that mind-boggling, radical truth, our lives can be transformed in a way that compels us to love others in the way He loves us.

Thanks Seniors!