Oh this excitng time of year...

As the graduation season descends upon us, and I attend multiple parties for those poor highschoolers who really have no idea what is in store for them, I am reminded of a few things:
First, I have been reminded of that awful question; the one that everyone asks at your graduation and successive parties. It usually sounds something like this: What are your plans for next year? (or some variation on that theme) And if you answer some college, the next three questions pounce on you like a panther in the treetops "Ah! And what is your major, and what do you hope to do with that? And what does the rest of your life look to be like?" And if you answer an I don't know to any of these questions, you get a look that says "Poor child...doesn't know what he's in for." But if you answer with something unrealistically planned out, they smile approvingly and walk away. See, the problem is, most people want to see what your plans are so that they can feel like they're a part of your life, before waiting another 4-5 years to check back and judge how well you have succeeded in those plans. If, however, you answered "I'm working next year" or any other non-college option to the original question, you'll most likely get a disapproving look, and they'll attempt to find some way to exit the conversation. This reaction is actually simply awful...college is not for everyone, but that's not what I'm concerned about in this post.
My second thought (labeled "Second" so as to match point "First"), is that I have discovered what I personally think are two much more important questions, that, looking back, I wish I had been asked when I first graduated. Of course, these questions are geared to the Christian graduate....mostly because that's who I generally deal with, and who I am. The first question that I would ask is this: "What is the most surprising or important thing God has taught you over the past four years?" (or the past year if you have less time to listen). This is a better question in my mind, because it gets right to the heart of how they are maturing and how they see themselves as a follower of God. It also opens up the discussion beyond the truly unimportant subject of what their plans are and instead dwells on where they are really at and where they see themselves. The second question I wish I had been given is this: "As each new decision and opportunity arises (in other words, this is not a question I would actually want an answer to), ask yourself this question, 'How does/will [such and such] strengthen, grow, or mature my relationship to Christ?' Because if it doesn't, then it is not worth considering." This is a question I wish I had been told to ask, because it would have put the right perspective on decisions (which are not my strong suit), and put into perspective my relationship with Christ as the real motivator for any decision. Neither of these questions judge or critique the surface plans of the the graduate, but rather put the ball in their court to talk about who they are as a person and what their thoughts and intentions really are.