Off to College

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

If you haven’t yet had the “thrill” of sending your first child off to college, it’s difficult to prepare yourself for that. It’s one thing if your student is staying close to home. It’s quite different if they are several hundred—or even thousand—miles away. When our oldest son was a senior in high school, I used to pick him up from his part time job on my way home from work. Sometimes I had to wait for him to finish, which caused me to grumble a bit. After we drove him 400 miles away to college, I would drive by where my son had worked. My soul ached. I already missed him and regretted any day that I complained of his delays.

In Jesus’ farewell message to His disciples, He gave clear instructions. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach observance of all His commands. Then He left them. They must have stood quizzically wondering, “What’s next?” Their “college education” was over! Time to practice what they learned. Alone. Without the Master Teacher. But…with an abiding assurance.

Whether you are sending a child off to college, or have said farewell to a loved one or felt the loss of some relationship, be reminded of God’s abiding love for you. He wants to be close and personal. Remember Jesus’ parting words to His disciples: “…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Embrace that truth.

Prayer
Great Father, thank You for the assurance of Your abiding presence. We need You. Amen.