Graduation season is upon us again. That has me reflecting on my high school graduation and the yearbook that accompanied it.

I graduated as part of a class of 125 students. Where I grew up, several small towns were consolidated into one high school. My tiny hometown only had three seniors that year, but I was part of a much larger class.

As an introvert who has always struggled to make friends, it may come as no surprise that my yearbook is empty of anything from my senior year. I was not involved in any sports, clubs, or organizations. I was not elected as “most likely” to do anything. There were no accolades or achievements listed, as I had none. When the books came out, no one signed mine, and no memorabilia was inserted.

At this point in the story, you might be depressed. Don’t be. I view my empty yearbook as a blank slate. Those years did not define my life or my future. They were a stepping stone on the way to what God had in store for me. High school was not my “glory days” that I will spend the rest of my life trying to reattain. They were a fun time that God used to mold and shape me for the next step in my journey with him.

Some people look at their lives and feel a sense of sadness about their lack of accomplishments to this point. What if you turned that thinking over and claimed the years ahead as an opportunity for God to use you in new and exciting ways? Everything up to this point has been preparation for the ministry that lies ahead of you. In Jesus, your past does not define you.

What if, during this graduation season, you saw your future as a blank slate, and you allowed God to write his story with the rest of the pages?