Psalm 16:11 (NASB)
11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

This last week, we attended the graduation of our grandson from seminary. Over a couple of days, I experienced something that was a true gift from God. The graduation ceremony itself was an amazing experience; a worship service where 160 people also received their diplomas for the hard work that they put in to achieve their degree program. And while the days that we were there were all a great blessing, the evening after the graduation ceremony will stand out forever.

After our celebration dinner at a local restaurant, we then went to have dessert at a place that had some secluded rooms where our family gathered in one of them to hear from our grandson’s heart about what he has been called to do and his plans for how he believes he is being led to serve the Kingdom of God.

But before he did that he spent a half hour acknowledging the love and support that his family has given to him over the years. This was not a mere thank you to those gathered to celebrate with him, although I know that no one there even expected that. It was his verbal love letter to all of us. What he said that evening I know will have a lasting impact on all who were there. It was so evident that he has a true love for all people and it is a result of an outpouring for his love for Christ.  Psalm 16:11 is his favorite verse from the psalms.

John 7:38 (NASB)
38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.”

I recall telling him as he entered seminary that he should guard himself during that time, because many who are in this intense time of study often find that it is a dry spiritual season in their lives. I didn’t know that he would take that to heart, but he called me several weeks later and said that he had decided to take fewer hours per semester. He was working full time while going to school, but he said that he also wanted to invest a significant amount of time in his church family. He often remarked over the last several years how much his church family meant to him. But I was amazed to find that without exception, everywhere we went, we ran into people that knew him and loved him in that community.

The time at seminary prepared him with the knowledge he will need to do the missionary work God has called him to do. But God also worked in his heart over the last four years through the people of his community and church to give him a passion to love others and to experience the fullness of joy that comes from following God’s path.

Father, thank you for your many promises in scripture. Thank you for loving us so much that you prepare a path for us. Thank you that it brings to us a fullness of joy that can only come from you.

Always praying for the glory of God,