Five Pieces of Advice for College Graduates
It has been such an honor to walk beside you through your time in college! Each one of you has left a permanent mark on Overflow. Thank you! We hope that you have grown spiritually over the past few years. But graduation is not the end of your spiritual journey. In a lot of ways, it is only the beginning! With that in mind we wanted to encourage and challenge you with a few thoughts as you take your next step in life:
1) Never Stop Learning
Learning is a lifelong endeavor. Always look to challenge and refine your thinking. View everything through the lens of learning and growing. Don’t waste your experiences—event the bad ones—view them as learning opportunities.“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when you faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1: 24
2) You Are The Church
Your role in the church is irreplaceable. God has invited you into His work and investing in a local church is a crucial step for you to take on that responsibility. As heavy as that may sound, don’t forget, that being a part of the church is an amazing source of community, it is a place for us to discover and grow in our Godgiven gifts, and ultimately it is an incredibly rewarding place to serve others!
3) Define Success
Success means different things to different people, and that’s okay. It’s not other’s definitions you should be concerned with, but God’s. Take time to write down your goals and dreams—then invite God into the process. Ask God to help shape and guide your perception of success. Then step back and be ready to follow God’s leading.
4) The Difference Between Happiness and Joy
Happiness and joy are not one in the same – happiness comes and goes—it’s fleeting at best, it’s most often deceptive, and at worst the pursuit of happiness can lead to ruin. Joy however is something that can be found in any circumstance because of our hope in Jesus. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there if fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
5) Enjoy The Uncertainty
Travel, try a new hobby, and take some time to just relax. Don’t get discouraged too quickly. Many of us will write cover letters for dozens of jobs and not receive any responses. Remember, even the accomplished professionals we admire had to start somewhere. Live in this moment. Be open to new experiences, consider internships, take every job or internship as a learning opportunity to recognize what you don’t want to do and what you truly love to do!
We are so incredibly excited about this next stage of life for you. If there is anything we can do to help you over the next few months, please let us know! We will be diligently praying for you and we are gladly available if you are in need of encouragement, direction, or wisdom.
We love you!
– The Overflow Staff
