MY DEAR SON, DANIEL

On this occasion of your commencement as you graduate from high school, I want to take a few moments to charge you with some thoughts to take away with you. I just have three things for you, in small enough chunks that you can memorize and keep them for life. Before God and these witnesses, I charge you to pursue three things with all that is in you as you run the course of your life.

Pursue wisdom. Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it costs all that you have, get understanding. There is nothing more important than wisdom, though many things will tempt you. You will be tempted to sell out to money, but remember that a good name is far more important than any amount of income. You will be tempted to sell out to fame, but remember that it is better to be wise and be a nobody than to compromise your integrity for a mere reputation. And you will be tempted to sell out to a strange woman, but remember that the flattering words and enticing appearance are nothing compared to a life of wisdom. Remember how to recognize her, and keep your pathway far from her house. As you run your race, never lose sight of the pursuit of wisdom as your highest goal.

Pursue self-control. The greatest hurdle for a young man is self-control. Without self-control, you are like a city without walls. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, and little children are controlled by selfish passions. So learning to say no to yourself is the primary hurdle to move from being a boy to being a young man. May you run with strength this race of life, and may you successfully navigate the hurdle of a young man, self-control.

Pursue love. The mark of maturity is love. When you love, you move from being self-centered to being others-centered. Love is your ultimate goal. Serving others, putting others before yourself, learning the art of listening, giving respect to everyone, sacrificing for others, treating all as your neighbor, this is the secret fruit of love. As you run to win the prize, know what that prize is: it is love. When you have learned how to love, I will know that you are fully a man, and I can retire in peace.

Pursue wisdom. Pursue self-control. Pursue love. Remember to pursue these three things.

But of course, there is really just one thing to pursue, which will yield these three fruits: Pursue God. If you do that with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength, then you will achieve the rest. After all, the Bible says that the fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom. And when I talk about self-control, what I am really describing is letting the Holy Spirit control your inner and outer man. And Jesus embodies love in every way. So when you pursue God with your life, you will find wisdom, self-control and love to be natural outcomes.

I love you so much, and I am so proud of you. And I trust that you are already well down this road of life. I look forward to watching you as you embark on the next leg of your journey, and I will be cheering you on as you run.