What should I do with my life after graduation?

Answer

The Bible is replete with encouragement for us, aiding us in comprehending our significance to God and providing straightforward guidance on how we should conduct ourselves (e.g., John 3:16; Zephaniah 3:17; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Psalm 86:15; Philippians 2:1-11; Colossians 3:17,23). The Bible aids us in comprehending and rationalizing our relationships, work, education, and similar aspects. When faced with significant life transitions such as graduating from high school or college, changing jobs, or relocating to a new community, we can be assured that God is concerned and attentive to our needs. More importantly, we can be confident that God approaches us when we approach Him “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”, (James 4:8). The concise response to what one should do post-graduation is to “draw near to God,” but a bit of context is necessary for that advice to be meaningful.

It is acceptable to not possess all the answers. Solomon, the wisest man to have ever lived (1 Kings 3:3-15; 4:30; 10:1-9), posed numerous questions in the book of Ecclesiastes, addressed most of them, and then provided a final verdict on life. He stated that all individuals should “fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”, (Ecclesiastes 12:13). To fear God is to hold great reverence for Him.

It is to approach Him like the King that He is «Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. », (Ecclesiastes 5:1), but also to believe that He is a loving father (Luke 15). When we draw near to God through reading the Word and prayer, He reveals to us who He is and what He does; then we can understand what His will is for the world and for us. By drawing near to God we can learn what we should do next.

Jesus invites us to understand what it means to trust Him. He says to us all, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). He wants us to come to Him. He knows we are tired and anxious. He knows well enough to give us what we need. He uses the imagery of a yoke, a large wooden harness that holds two animals side by side, to help us understand that He is with us. A yoke enables two animals, oxen or horses or cattle, to pull together in the same direction. It is normal to have an older and wiser animal paired with a younger, untested animal so that the older can carry the larger burden while teaching the younger how to succeed. This is how Jesus is with us. He makes our yoke light by pulling most of the weight Himself.

Not only do we have this invitation to be with Jesus, but we also have been given freedom to live freely (Galatians 5:1; James 1:25), we have been given the mind of Christ to help us make decisions «For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.», (1 Corinthians 2:16), and we have been given the Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us «However, when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth: for he will not speak of himself; but whatever he hears, that he will speak: and he will show you things to come. », (John 16:13). These provisions from God are meant to offer us an understanding of who He is and what He does, and to lead us in how we can respond.

If you are pondering what to do after graduation, reflect on the love of God revealed in His declarations about who you are and who you are meant to be. You have been meticulously and wonderfully created by God, all the days of your life are ordained by God, and He thinks of you frequently and favorably (Psalm 139:13-18). You bear the mark of God all over you, having been crafted as His masterpiece, intended for good deeds «For we are his masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. », (Ephesians 2:10). So, go and act.

You are designed to carry out good works for God’s glory and to assist other people. Ponder this: Jesus and His earthly adoptive father were carpenters. Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen. Others were tentmakers, tax collectors, Roman soldiers, and Jewish leaders. There is no ideal profession, and as long as it is not a matter of morality, there is no wrong one. Therefore, as you contemplate what path to take after graduation—whether to accept this job or that one, relocate to a new city or remain in your hometown, pursue further education or embark on a small business—pursue the choice that enables you to best demonstrate love.

Love God by loving others.

Practically speaking, take the following steps: first and most importantly, read the Bible and pray. Talk to God and receive His wise counsel. Draw near to Him. Second, seek the counsel of those who love God and love you. Their advice matters a great deal “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”, (Proverbs 15:22). Third, reflect on the past and make a list of the times you have been invited to serve others, maybe to lead a Bible study or help someone with their schoolwork, or to be the captain of a sports team, sing at a wedding, or write for a blog. This will help you to learn what other people believe you are good at. Fourth, make a list of whom you love to love. Do you cry when you see a homeless man? Do you want to save high school students from peer pressure? Do you wish it were possible that ladies in nursing homes never felt lonely? These and similar questions about God and other people will help you discover that it is not necessarily about what you should do, but rather whom you could serve. Somewhere in there is the beginning of the road you are seeking.

What should you do with your life after you graduate? Live your life before God with great reverence for who He is and what He does, and then go and love others. Give yourself permission to make mistakes, trusting that God works all things for the good of those who love Him, those who are called by Him “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”, (Romans 8:28). And, whatever you do, be reminded of this: “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain” “Except the LORD build the house, They labour in vain that build it: Except the LORD keep the city, The watchman waketh bu

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. », (Psalm 127:1).