Have you ever seen a train wreck? There is not a more vivid metaphor than the unbridled collision of several tons of moving metal resulting in twisted steel, broken glass, and an industrial disaster of gargantuan proportions. Too often we see high school graduates celebrate their graduation night and start down the tracks of adulthood only to wreck their lives just a few miles from the train station! This is the time of year we see graduates “commence” or begin their post-high school adult lives; so I thought it would be appropriate to consider the top three challenges facing every graduate. It could be stated that these are the first big and immediate tests that confront a young adult immediately after high school. If they pass these tests, they avoid the bad decisions that can lead to a spiritual train wreck. Perhaps these thoughts will be helpful as our youth prepare for adulthood. These are even good reminders to those who have been out of high school a few years already.
THE CHALLENGE OF A JOB
Exodus 20:9–10 says, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.” God created us to work and expects us to lead productive lives. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).And every young adult is excited about having that first job! Mine was working on the grounds crew at a local golf coarse. What a joy. And yet, so many young people allow their jobs to become their first spiritual downfall, often within a few weeks of high school graduation. How?
They Work at the Wrong Place. Even in a tough economy, starter jobs are fairly easy to find, especially for hard working, honest, and clean-cut young people. It’s amazing how many Christians will take jobs at places where a Christian has no business working. No amount of money is worth corrupting your heart and mind, so teach young adults to be selective about work environments. It is possible to work in the world without “eating the king’s meat” (Daniel 1:8). For every Christian, there ought to be some places we just wouldn’t work, no matter what.
They Work at the Wrong Time. The first test of a new job is Sunday work. How is it that we can toss God and His church aside for $7.50 an hour? One of the greatest reasons young people fall away from God after high school is that they stop attending church because of work! But for those who honor God’s commands and protect Sunday, God always provides for their needs in a better way. I’ve watched it dozens of times over the years—God always takes care of those who protect His day and who stay deliberately and faithfully involved in their local churches.
They Work for the Wrong Purpose. Some young people view their new jobs as nothing more than a way to meet new friends and buy clothes or iPods, while others see it as a temporary means to a more important end and a way to be a witness for Christ. Those with a higher purpose—pursuing the will of God—always keep their jobs in check and view them as an opportunity to facilitate God’s will in other areas.
I'll continue this in part 2.
