Last Sunday, we had a great worship and gathering with our High School Seniors who are transitioning into a new milestone of their life – attending college. As I recall in my high school years, it was a period full of examinations and pressure. Started from 10^th grade, school already asked us to be prepared for college entrance exam (CEE). At 11^th grade, we had all kinds of simulated tests and subsequently at 12^th grade; we were at the most miserable and pressurized days in our life – more tests and intensive reviews. Everyone’s goal was set to have a successful test because the CEE was a means to determine our individual’s future. During those hot and humid summer days, relaxation was viewed as a sin to spend time on. The tension was so high to a point that I was about to snap, though I knew I should not give up. My mind, however, kept telling me that “it is easy to say than done”. When the day of test drew near, I felt I was completely exhausted and my head was spinning. As a result, I didn’t perform well on my test. Oh, well… I was glad it was over, however… 🙂

“Keep going, don’t give up” is an encouragement I used to tell my kids. I want them to realize that perseverance will help them sustain trials and difficulties. When I was serving in the Navy, my fellow-solider used to share with me his motto of success: “勉強自己，就是成功 (Push yourself means success)”. He encouraged me to push myself to get used to different environments or different situations in order to be successful. His point is we always like to stay in our comfort zone, status quo, without stepping out. Reality is the success wouldn’t fall from the sky automatically, he stressed.

After I professed my faith in Christ, I still think the motto has some merits. However, my view has since then changed, especially the meaning of “success”. I realize that if my goal is to be successful by the standards set by this world, then my faith is nothing but a religion. I would still subject to the same disappointment when I can’t arrive my goal. Our goal, as is set by our Lord, is to be like Him when we meet Him. A success would imply that we are mature in Him. To achieve this goal, we would need to have an attitude of “press on”, as apostle Paul instructed, and forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:12-13).

My dear brothers and sisters, while we are joyful to see our kids to attend college, it is also very important that we pay the price of praying for them – asking our Lord to guard their hearts without falling into temptation and deliver them from the evil one (Matthew 6:13). May our Lord lead them and protect them throughout their years to come. As brother George reminded us on his last Sunday sermon (Genesis 28:1-22), God’s ladder is the one which connects us to God. The ladder would give us a view above this world and God’s angels who were moving up and down on the ladder would be the messenger to report our status to Him and to carry His blessings to us.  Let the message of the ladder serves as a constant reminder to our High School Seniors and us.  May our Lord become their guide of life journey because He is the most loving and gracious Lord, He listens and He responds to our prayerful heart.

Let’s press on toward the goal of being mature in Him, my dear brothers and sisters!