Dual-Level. Dual-Identity. English major and Education major. The student and the teacher. Who am I meant to be?

Over these last 5 years, I have watched friends graduate, find jobs, find joy. This year I got married and moved 2 times and changed jobs and it feels like that’s enough change, but God is calling me to leap further.

Who inspires you to leap?

There are so many people I am honored to know– who have supported me, inspired me, and given me reason to leap. But as I think about graduation on Saturday, there’s fear alongside the joy. I recall, oddly, the confusion and anxiety of middle school (I’m sure many of you can relate), and how writing helped me process it all. During those days, I wrote a lot about time travel. It felt comforting to know that there was a future out there for me—something a future version of myself was already living. As I grew older, I slowly became the future self. I stopped being so focused on what could be and, though God’s grace, just did.

I almost feel like I did a decade ago now, unsure of my path ahead. I wish I could talk with future me about what to do, and what to avoid. There’s a conversation from Meet the Robinsons (2007) that comes to mind:

Past Lewis: So when I go back, this will be my future!

Future Lewis: Not quite. Nothing is set in stone; you still have to make the right choices.

In the movie, Lewis returns to his time without knowing those right choices. He steps out in faith, ready to “keep moving forward.”

I grew up watching this movie. If you asked, I could probably recite the whole script. But—as we students know, there’s a difference between memorization and application. How can we keep moving forward?

One thing, and one thing only: Total surrender unto Christ.

Christ is the true constant. He has been with you through all your iterations, all the versions you’ve been. He gives you the power to make the leaps you never thought you could.

God is the beginning and the end. Great is His faithfulness.

R. J. Anderson once wrote that our lives are part of a generational orchestra that God started long ago: a song proclaiming glory, glory, glory. God is outside of Time. And yet, His Spirit lives within us in time so we can be part of that glory song! His love is not conditional or based on our output. Our relationship with God (which is different from the knowledge of His love) is dependent on—well, our dependence on Him.

My friends, He wants to carry us. He wants to be the righteous right hand we hold when we face the enemy. God’s word is the Sword of the Spirit, shattering lies and bringing light.

He is the hand we hold out in love towards other people.

To those who are graduating with me this semester: You are not alone. The fear lives alongside the excitement, but God is so much bigger than any trepidation of the future we have. It is well with our soul; we shall live the Good News wherever we go.

Megamind (2010) ends with this quote: “Destiny is not the path chosen for us, but the path we choose for ourselves.” May the paths we choose reflect God’s beautiful and giving kingdom forever!

“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
    my God turns my darkness into light.” –Psalm 18:28a

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” –Isaiah 41:10