The Next Step
posted by on 08/7/09
As I started getting older, a strange phenomenon occurred. (And I am sure I am the only one that has experienced this.) People began asking me bewildering questions, such as “What are you going to do after you finish high school?” or “What do you plan to do with your life?” What?! How did they expect me to know!? At first it was irritating because it seemed everyone assumed I had my entire life planned out, until I understood the following distinction.
This is what I shared last Saturday, when friends and family gathered at our home to celebrate my high school graduation. I can hardly imagine the day being more perfect!
Everyone was so generous and encouraging. I came away with a new excitement and passion 
to continue running the race of life and enjoy all that God has in store for the years ahead.
The excitement comes from understanding the difference between long-term and short-term goals. God may not tell me exactly what the rest of my life is going to look like. However, he has given me the key to understanding my basic purpose for existence on this earth (see Revelation 4:11 and Matthew 22:36-40). Once I have the finish line in view I am free to concentrate all my energies on the very next step (Psalm 119:105).
The most immediate next step I see ahead for me is preparing for this year’s National Bible Bee Competition. Also on the horizon may be serving at the IBLP Headquarters in the Finance Department to get more experience with the details of accounting. Farther down the road, if we ever decide it would be necessary for met to get a degree, I would like to bypass the traditional college route if it all possible and explore pursuing a degree through other options such as Verity or Accelerated Distance Learning.
“But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit…” (I Corinthians 2:9-10)
Congratulations Daniel!! I remember getting the same kind of questions when I graduated from homeschool high school. Just keep following the steps of the Saviour and stay under authority no matter what!
I am very proud of you and your accomplishments thus far and I know that God has great things in store for your future.
Congratulations on your graduation. This is a great milestone.
I can definitely recommend completing a college degree through accelerated distance learning. I am a CollegePlus! student, and have found their whole approach to college level learning to be very helpful and efficient. Also, I know they offer a BSBA in Accounting, which might fit your interests.
Thank you for your testimony Daniel. I almost wish that all those reading this post could have seen the heartfelt way in which you presented it as well as the logic of the testimony itself. Life is a living classroom–to be taken one step at a time!
How well I understand all the questions!! Thank you for explaining your views in such a clear way! It helps me to see how other young people are viewing their life after high school.
It sounds like your graduation was a wonderful time! May God bless you as you continue to seek His will for your life!!
Congratulations, Daniel! And don’t worry, it’s taken me a few years to figure out what I want to do, too. If you are considering college, though, it’s a good idea to get your prerequisites, SAT, and financial aid application done early. I’ve been doing CLEPs, DSST, and GRE tests since last year, and I’m around 94 credits now. My application to Charter Oak State is on hold right now, though, because I’m waiting for the financial aid paperwork and transcripts to cycle through the mail. Your local state colleges might have needs grants or merit scholarships, too, if you apply early enough ahead of time. If you take the courses for your major there, you can get a better grounding in it and more discussion than you’d get with just clepping… and you could get involved in campus ministries.
My dad tells me, no matter what I do, whether it’s being a linguist or digging ditches, he’s behind it as long as that’s what God’s calling me to do.
Thank you for your recommendations, Jason and Nathan! I really know very little about this type of thing and we are exploring the many different possibilities available, so I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and suggestions. Thanks for commenting!