John 17:20-26
17:20 "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word,
17:21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one,
17:23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
17:24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
17:25 "Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me.
17:26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
WHEREVER YOU GO
17:21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one,
17:23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
17:24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
17:25 "Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me.
17:26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
WHEREVER YOU GO
Graduations bring a commencement, or beginning, of new things.
In 1990, Dr. Seuss published Oh, the Places You’ll Go! This popular graduation gift tells in Seuss’ inimitable style of all life’s possible ups and downs, twists and turns. There will surely be excitement and slumps, fun and loneliness, purpose and confusion. And, yes, fear: “There are some [things], down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.”
The sheer determination of the storybook’s life-traveler moves him beyond trouble and fear. But God’s children don’t have to go it alone. Life cannot take us anywhere God hasn’t been first. Furthermore, he walks beside us on every winding path and around every corner.
Graduates — and all Christians — can trust in the promise of Joshua 1:9 (NIV): “Be strong and courageous … for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
A PRAYER FOR ONE’S FAMILY
Our heavenly Father, we come as your children to praise you for putting us in our family. We thank you for the love and nourishment we have received from those in whose presence we have been placed. We confess our need for your guidance in our families. Please grant us harmony in our homes and enable us always to show respect and love for one another. In Christ’s name, Amen.
