Oh, the places you’ll go! Advice to my younger, graduating self

by Matt Farmer

Each graduation season, I can’t help but think of one of my favorite books, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss. While graduation inherently means the end of something, it’s also the start of new adventures, experiences, and decisions. 

Like the book illustrates, life is an adventure, jam-packed with unexpected twists and turns. The excitement and challenges of these experiences make life special. 

The story of your life happens in both small moments and big leaps of faith that propel you into adventures with God that you never dreamed possible. When I graduated, I thought I had a pretty good handle on what was ahead. It turns out, I still had a lot to learn, and that list isn’t finished yet. Here are the top five things I’ve learned so far that I wish I could tell my younger self to make the adventure a little smoother. Share these with the graduate in your life. And if you’re a graduate, congratulations. “Kid, you’ll move mountains!”

1. Follow where God is leading you.

Solomon summarizes the fleeting nature of all he’s gained and learned with this, “There’s no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you’re no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you” (Ecclesiastes 12:12-13, The Message). Similarly, when Jesus explained the most important thing to do in life, it was to love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). As followers of Christ, like Solomon, we too, have been given all we need for life and have access to the riches of His grace. But without a relationship with God founded in Christ, and a willing heart to listen to His direction for our lives, our achievements cannot carry the eternal purpose they were meant to hold. When we remember that God has plans to give us “hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11), we are invited to follow where He is leading and freely offer our material possessions, job status, and financial success to His will.

2. You control your attitude and effort.

A coach on my college football team (for whom I held much respect) drilled these words into our heads every single practice: “attitude and effort.” He repeated them incessantly. You’ll eventually live enough life to learn there isn’t much we can control. But we can control our attitude and our effort. Paul writes in Colossians 3 that no matter what we do, we ought to do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God through Him while we do it. Then he tells us, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” These words give us purpose for our work. If we work for the glory of God, I believe our attitude and efforts will reflect Him, and be filled with joy, compassion, and fervor. 

3. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Our society can be incredibly individualistic. As Christians, when we “go,” stepping into new experiences, it’s vital that we do so within community. Whether starting a business, learning a new profession, or moving to an unfamiliar place, finding a community of faith-focused individuals helps ground us. Walking through these new seasons accompanied by other believers keeps us connected and strong. When Christ is the common denominator, we can cultivate an environment of honest and transparent vulnerability that’s rooted in love. And anything rooted in love will possess the strength necessary for longevity.

4. A plan is just a beginning point for change.

I heard this phrase regularly during my time in the military, and I’ve watched it play out in my own life during times of uncertainty and tragedy, like when my wife, Jenna, experienced her cancer journey. Proverbs 16:1 says, “Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word” (The Message). Even the boxer Mike Tyson, when asked whether he was worried about Evander Holyfield and his fight plan, answered, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” And obviously so! It’s perfectly okay to make plans. They are quite necessary. However, it’s wise to hold them loosely. Plans can change, and ultimately, we aren’t in control of the outcome anyway. We can do nothing apart from God, and He works out everything in accordance with His good will.

5. Live with an abundance mentality.

No matter our career, family, relationships, or financial status, it’s easy to feel as if we don’t have enough. There is always more work to do and bigger dreams to pursue. Our God is a God of abundance, not scarcity. Life is not a finite, but an expanding pie. He wants to use each one of us to further His Kingdom, and we are blessed to be used in that effort. Seeking ways to support and collaborate (rather than compete) with others called to that same effort leads to greater impact on the world. We can advance the Kingdom of God more effectively through cooperation rather than competition. Experience our 10 principles of biblical generosity devotional to grow your own mindset of abundance over scarcity.

If you haven’t read Oh, the Places You’ll Go! I’d love to send you a copyopens in a new tab. I don’t believe Dr. Seuss wrote this as a religious text, but much of what he writes in this book is biblical. The journey he describes is compelling. It’s not all good, and it’s not all bad – just like real life. But as John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

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