It was pretty clear to me, as a soon-to-be grad, that I was expected to have my life figured out by the time I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. Every person I talked to asked me the same questions: What are your plans after graduation? What kind of job or career do you want? Where do you hope to live? Do you plan to have a family one day? What’s next for you?

Oh, that perpetual, torturous What’s next for you?

My friends had plans—it seemed everyone did—even if their plans were to stay at home and apply for jobs, rent-free. That sounded better than my plan (i.e., no plan). I assumed that everyone had everything figured out, and I didn’t. I asked God to guide me but didn’t receive any sign in the sky or feeling in my chest. I felt like I was supposed to just know what God’s will for my life was.

This was my experience, but there are a multitude of swirling emotions in the mind of a soon-to-be graduate, as well as a diversity of experiences. Some soon-to-be-graduates are paralyzed by fear; others are motivated by it. Some can’t wait to get out and seize the opportunities ahead of them; others stare blankly into the foggy mirror of the future. Some thrive when challenged by the expectations of people; others are crushed by their weight.

Wherever you are today, I’d like to share a few truths that are intended to liberate you and nudge you toward Christ. Graduation season doesn’t need to be one of anxiety or pressure. When you root yourself in Christ, you can look forward to the future with a sense of expectation, peace, and freedom.

Truth #1: You don’t need to have it all figured out.

I can tell you confidently that “having it all figured out” is a destination that no one ever reaches.

My question for you is this: What do you think it would look like to have life all figured out? Maybe it looks like working a steady job, finding a spouse, having a home to take care of, or earning another diploma. Maybe ease and luxury sound ideal. But maybe there’s a nagging in the back of your mind, always telling you that you’re behind, missing milestones, not doing enough—or that no matter what you do, you’ll only let people down.

My friend, where do your notions of “having it figured out” come from? What voices are defining your expectations for the future? If you are a follower of Christ, the only voice you need to follow is His. Worldly notions of success and stability are all sinking sand. Trusting in them is like doing a trust fall without anyone behind you to catch you—you’ll hit the ground hard. But when you are standing on the Firm Foundation, the ground beneath you will never give way. Your steadiness in life will be as certain as God’s faithfulness.

The beauty of following Jesus is that He doesn’t expect you to have a five-year plan. He doesn’t expect you to have it all figured out. Think about the disciples. They probably thought they knew what their lives ahead would look like, when out of the blue, a man calls them to follow Him. They probably had no idea what their tomorrow would look like, let alone the next five years (and oh, what a wild five years they’d be!).

And Jesus didn’t call the disciples because He believed they would do everything right. He knew what His time with the disciples would look like—they’d make mistake after mistake, misunderstanding Him, saying the wrong things, making the wrong decisions. Yet Jesus loved them, and He was patient with them. He wasn’t exasperated by their lack of skill or knowledge or foresight; He walked every day with them because He wanted them to know Him and to obey Him. And that is what He wants for you.

Jesus wants to be close to you and walk beside you every day. He wants you to know how deeply He loves and cares for you. He says as much in Matthew 6:26, 34: “Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? . . . Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

What the Lord wants is for you to trust Him for today. This doesn’t mean that you shirk responsibility, run in fear from the future, or make unwise decisions. But trusting the Lord is a daily decision, and if you make your goal to get to know Him a little more today, and a little more tomorrow, and a little more the day after . . . you will be exactly where God intends for you to be five years from now. Rest in the freedom Christ gives you to take life one day at a time.

Truth #2: There is nothing more worth pursuing than Christ Himself.

Now you may be wondering if a life lived for Christ is worth it. It’s guaranteed that things in life will tempt you to believe they’re worth more than following Christ. And I won’t deny that following Christ comes with a cost. But more often than not, the cost of following Christ involves rejecting things that may offer temporary satisfaction but leave you empty, hurting, and feeling less like the person you’re supposed to be. All paths that aren’t Jesus will lead to destruction, but Jesus promises life—and life in abundance (John 10:10).

Jesus is the only prize worth pursuing in this life because He is the only One who will never fail you. Money can be lost. Relationships that thrive one year may disappoint the next. Success constantly shifts the goal posts of expectations and leaves you feeling worthless. But Christ remains the same, now and forever, and He has already proven His love and faithfulness to you because He has paid the highest price for your salvation. His constant love and grace are evidence that He is worthy of everything you have to offer Him.

Truth #3: To know God is better than to know God’s plans.

God does have a plan for you, and He will guide you in it, even if you only see one step ahead of you. In fact, the Bible sets that as an expectation. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Even if all you can see is your feet below you, God is illuminating your path and asking you to trust Him.

God has created you uniquely, with gifts and talents that He intends to use to build His kingdom. He has factored your personality, your hesitations, and your passions into His plan for you. Wouldn’t the One who knit you together in your mother’s womb know exactly how you might impact the world around you? Wouldn’t He know what’s best for you? He has not overlooked you; He has not looked away from this season of your life as you make decisions for the future. He has orchestrated all of human history leading all the way up to the moment even now as you’re reading these words. He is not careless. His plan and timing are perfect.

Knowing God is knowing the Author of the story of your life. As someone who is written into the story, you don’t know what will happen on the next page. Yet if you know the Author, you can be certain that regardless of what happens on the next page, He loves you and will never abandon you. When you have to make decisions that feel big and scary, it may not feel like knowing God is enough—you probably want answers. But if you internalize the character and love of God to your very core, there will be no decision too big, no tragedy beyond hope, no mistake that cannot be redeemed. Each day will be a day of resting in your Father’s arms and journeying with your Creator. 

As you learn to trust the God who has good plans for you, who loves you, and who wants you to know Him, I pray that you would begin to view your life ahead as an adventure with God, a journey to be taken one day at a time.

Author Bio:

Maren Schettler is a Staff Editor for The Daily Grace Co. Though born and raised in the Upper Midwest, she now lives in Houston and is (slowly) adjusting to the Texas heat. She looks for any opportunity to travel, explore new genres of music and literature, and connect with people over coffee.

Additional Resources:

Where Do I Go From Here?		It Is Well | Anxiety Bible Study		Encouragement for Graduates
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