May 2023 Pastor’s Note

We move closer to the end of another school year. For some, it’s just another year in the books. Summer is finally here. But for many it marks the end of one journey and begins another. Graduation is upon us.

Some say after graduation these young adults will be “entering the real world.” But, in my opinion, these young adults have been in the “real world” for quite some time. They may not face the same struggles that older adults face but with the rapidly changing world they still have faced their fair share of challenges. Challenges that we as older adults would have never even considered in our teen years.

This raises a question, have we done all that we could to make sure these young adults are equipped to face the challenges of life? Have we provided them with a solid, biblical foundation for life?

A familiar passage from Proverbs 3 provides guidance for our graduates and also for each of us as we face each day.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”- Proverbs 3:5-6

When we truly trust in God to guide our thoughts and direct our actions, we can rest assured that He will place us where He needs us. Too often we want to take control and make our own plans. Planning is essential but you will never be what you were meant to be until you are following God’s will for you!

A speaker I was listening to recently related this fact in a story. He said following Jesus is like following directions on Google maps. The map is telling you that you need to make a right turn in three miles. As you get closer you are reminded, “make a right turn in two miles...then, make a right turn in one mile...make a RIGHT turn now!”

But, you make a left turn instead. The guidance on the map doesn’t shut down. It lets you know your route is being “re-calculated.” The map starts providing directions for where you need to be from where you currently are. You can still get there from here, it may just take a few extra turns.

Jesus works in similar fashion. You may be hearing Him tell you which direction to go and still make a wrong turn. We all make mistakes in life; we all make a wrong turn from time to time. But if we continue to trust in the Lord for His direction, leaning not on our own understanding, acknowledging Him in all our ways, we will ultimately make it to where the Lord has planned for us.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, He will lead you to where He needs you.

Congratulations to our 2023 graduates! Calvary Baptist Church is praying for you and for a bright future.

God Bless, Pastor Jeff