Jump Start # 3582

2 Timothy 4:6 “For I am already being poured out as a drink-offering, and the time of my departure has come.”

I was walking through a store the other day, and there was a graduation balloon on the floor. It read, “100% Done.” Now, that’s just an interesting thought and not a good idea to pass on to a high school or college graduate. In our verse today, the apostle said, “the time of my departure has come.” That is a thought worth exploring.

There are two graduation ideas I want to share with you:

1. We have a Jump Start book called, “Graduates”. It’s free and it’s a good thing to pass along with a graduation gift to someone in your congregation. If you want one, send me an email and INCLUDE your mailing address. Rogshouse@aol.com

2. This month, our Friday’s Heaven Bound podcast is directed toward the graduates. There are five episodes in this series, including appreciating those who helped you, what’s next, what to look for in a church, what to look for in finding a spouse. These are pointed toward both the high school and the college graduate. You can listen to these wherever you get your podcasts. Heaven Bound is the series.

Now, back to our article. Why is “100% Done,” not a good idea?

First, to say that one is done, means there is nothing next to do. One may be done with high school, but one isn’t done. There is finding a job. There is college or trade school. There is still growing and learning. A very sad statistic reveals that nearly 70% of college graduates never read a book again the rest of their lives. Learning should never end. And, as a disciple, building a useful reference library is a treasure that you will value and use the rest of your life.  Done? I don’t think so.

Second, this is a concept that many retirees gravitate towards. I’m done, they say. I gave 40 years to the company, now it’s my time. Please find that passage in the Bible? It’s never your time. As a retiree you have so many gifts and experience that you can add to the kingdom. There are so many things that you can do that before, your job kept you from doing. Look beyond your congregation. Think about traveling to a rural community and helping a small congregation for a while. Think about going overseas and helping brethren.

Third, Paul knew his departure was at hand. Jailed and awaiting yet another session before Caesar, he was sure that the odds were against him. This time, he wouldn’t make it out alive. He knew. His departure was at hand. But until the very end, God was using him. He was writing letters. He was talking to those who will listen to him. He was encouraging. He was teaching. He was using every drop of blood and energy for the sake of the kingdom.

I have heard many aged saints ask, “Why am I still here?” The immediate answer is that God isn’t finished with you yet. Old and unable to do much, it may be the reason they are still here is to give others opportunities to serve and to encourage. The departure time hasn’t come yet, that’s the answer.

The skills you learned in reading, research, writing, thinking, analyzing are tools that will help you the rest of your life. Don’t every be 100% Done. Don’t be done growing. Don’t be done praying. Don’t be done learning. Don’t be done helping.

You may be done with high school, but you are not done. You may be done with college, but you are not done. God has plans for you. There will be doors opened just for you. Use those talents, that passion and that wonderful mind to make a difference in this world. Be the reason someone smiles. Be the person that someone wants to talk to. Be the voice that praises God. Be the hope through the storm. Be the friend that God wants you to be.

You are only done, when the Lord calls you home!

Roger