Pomp & Circumstance

In Shakespeare’s play of Othello you will find in Act 3 Scene 3, he refers to the “Pride, Pomp, and Circumstance of glorious war!” The saying of Pomp and Circumstance was written that day and has lasted for centuries.  Today it is used as a reference to a formal setting or an important ceremony. We most commonly know this phrase as the song used to introduce graduation ceremonies.  
When that now famous song begins to play at graduations across the nation, audiences will rise as graduates enter the arena.  It is a sign of closure to one era and the beginning of another for those that are graduating.  The ceremony will be filled with speeches, recognition of honorees and the passing out of diplomas.  Finally, the tassels are moved over, and it will become official that graduation is over.  I remember after my high school graduation getting in my car and thinking, now what?
Pomp and Circumstance was quickly replaced by Pomp and Circumstances.  Now that we are graduating what is next.  The routine for so many years has now changed.  Questions and unknown seemed to replace answers and the known.  Circumstances seem to come at you from all angles now. Where can a new alumni turn for help in how to handle all of these new circumstances?
May I remind you of the importance of your faith and God’s Word in this new journey of life.  I could give you different verses of scripture that help you out from time to time.  But if you really want to find peace in the journey, how about reading how others handled new adventures in their life. May I suggest reading the first six chapters of the book of Daniel. Look how these young men handled adversity and change.  Maybe it would be good to read II Timothy and hear Paul’s advice to a young graduate of his own.  Let your faith guide you and keep you as the circumstances change in your journey.
The fact is we are all still graduating in this life.  We may have degrees hanging on the wall from different institutions but as Christians we are constantly learning to navigate life from once circumstance to another.   Joshua had been watching and learning as he followed Moses. Then Moses died at the age of 120 and the children of Israel wept. Then it says, “Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.” Deuteronomy 34:9. What a change for Joshua. His graduation happened as everyone was mourning.  Was he ready for this next big step? If you read the book of Joshua, you will find that God had been preparing him the whole time.  
Likewise, we often wonder, Lord, what about these new circumstances that I have graduated into with my own life?  How will I navigate the paths that seem so unknown?  God’s purpose was to never leave us in kindergarten as Christians.  He wants to promote us and teach us as we take new steps daily and new leaps yearly. His ultimate goal is to get our lives to look more like Him and less like us. Whether we realize it or not we are constantly working toward a new degree in our journey with the Lord.  So do not become anxious when you hear Pomp and Circumstance playing in your own life.  Look at it as a rite of passage that God is taking you into new territory.  For Joshua it was the Promised Land. For us today, it is the places that God has prepared for us long before we realized we were moving a tassel.  
Embrace the moments of graduation in life.  God has a purpose and plan for each journey.  Know that the circumstances of today are just leading you to a future cap and gown moment in life.  Remember the word of the Lord unto Joshua.  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

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