Good evening. How’ve you guys been? Good. Not going to lie to you all, it’s a little funky being up here. When I got the invitation to come here, I jumped for joy (more out of sarcasm, because I was going to come anyways.) That's when Briley and Natalie told me to read the fine print. First lesson of the night, never agree before you read the terms and conditions. 

Because the seniors are the way they are, it’s going to be weird without them next year. It made my day when they called me an honorary senior. I was kinda grafted in, made part of the family. So it’s gonna be weird when the family all goes off to Neverland University or wherever God is calling them. It’s going to be weird. Each of you guys had something different and awesome, a piece of the proverbial class of ‘25 puzzle. 

• Cody - Jolly Green giant, just a little less green
• David - always down for a good time
• Briley - A really genuine person 
• Natalie - always there to help lead whenever someone starts slacking
• Hailey - I think the most humble person I know
• Camilla - Very quiet, but very kind
• Logan - Always willing to tell somebody when their wrong, usually out of helpfulness 
• Johnny - always good to share some cool story or experience

You know, this is a really special class. Their motto, "Not the end, but the beginning" in and of itself is one that shows their maturity. Which is funny coming from me, because I’m younger than them. Not the end but the beginning. That says a lot about how they view this entrance ceremony. 

Their aim describes their entire schooling… "To learn, not for school, but for life." I mean, this is some deep stuff, guys. 

Life. The basis of many, many questions. What are we here for? To be successful? To lead a church? To start a family? Why are we here? In this building? At this very moment C'mon seniors, one last question for the school year, who is it? (responses from seniors) Amen, I knew you guys could do it. Alright, alright, time to get serious, my bad guys. 

To bring back the question earlier, I’ve personally noticed that we are asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking, "Why we are here?", ask "What we are doing here?" What are we doing right here, right now? What are we doing for the kingdom of God, right here, right now? Are we witnessing, are we leading by example, are we stumbling on the straight and narrow path, have we been derailed completely? These are all questions I would hope you all ask yourselves as you go through life because the decisions you make now are laying the foundation for your future. The great verse you all chose as the verse of your year. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 

I would like to encourage you all, my brothers and sisters. You will go through life, and life is tough. If not now, it will be. Do not expect sunshine and flowers everyday. Because that’s not how you grow. Tall oak trees need some hard rain every now and then. Douglas Malloch once said "“Good timber does not grow with ease: the stronger the winds, the stronger the trees." When situations arise, do not fall into self pity. Do not blame those around you, or the One above you. Those tall oaks remember their roots. Some oaks do not rely on their roots and when the winds come, they are blown over. 

Do not be like the weaker tree, who relies only on the here and now, who keeps its roots shallow because of a recent rain. Dig deep. In times of struggle and in times struggles cease, do not forget. Rely on your God, your family, and then your friends (in that order). Rely on your roots. 

Corny as it seems, remember your Sabbath school learning, the devotionals with Mr. Borne, the Bible classes. Recall those vespers, those convocations, those Pathfinder campouts. Many people are given the ability to have strong roots like these, but dig their own roots out. Why? Only God knows. Do not become like the chaff that blows in the wind, be the wheat, the salt of the earth, the city on a hill, because all great cities have great foundations. And where does your foundation lie? Yeshua HaMashiach. Jesus' Christos. Jesus Christ. The Good Shepherd will guide you through, if you follow His voice. Remember, as you were taught all those years ago, to listen.  

So, with all of that being said, there is a blessing, known as the Aaronic Benediction. It is what Aaron, the recently made high priest of Israel, was told to say unto the children of Israel. With that being said, straight from Numbers 6:24-26. 

 "The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace."

Shabbat Shalom.