Pomp and Circumstance

For those of you that know what in the world "Pomp and Circumstance" is then you already know what this post will be about. And for those of you who have no idea what it is, then you're about to find out. I only just found out what it was this morning! You see "Pomp and Circumstance" is graduation music. You know what i'm talking about, the music that plays as graduates parade down the aisle. Well the funny part about me not knowing what it was until this morning, is that I had my high school graduation today. ;)
Yes, it's official, I GRADUATED! It's a pretty awesome feeling to be graduated but with such a big milestone begins a new chapter of my life.
One of my favorite verses is Luke 9:25 "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?" I just think that verse is a real eye opener to anyone that reads it/hears it and is especially impactful to graduates who are being sent out into the world. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be in the world and not of it. Society pushes all the wrong things, to teens especially, and it is up to us as individuals to resist the temptation.
I was reading Romans today and I came across a verse in chapter 12 verse 21, "Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." Now I don't know about you, but when I see the words "good" and "evil" I immediately think of superheroes and villains. So as I read this verse I pictured a villainous world and a super God. Now I don't mean to say that everything in the world is evil, but just that it contains evil.
I guess what I've been trying to say is to always stay true to yourself. I know as a graduate I'm going to be exposed to new people, places, and situations that may make me uncomfortable. No matter what happens I think it's important not to let the wrong things overtake my life. I never want to lose my soul to material things, impure desires, or anything that compromises my faith.
I've always correlated Luke 9:25 with the song "Lose My Soul" by TobyMac featuring Kirk Franklin and Mandisa. It's one of my mom's favorite songs and one that my whole family sings along to. And I want to share that song with you here>> Lose My Soul by TobyMac