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Class of 2017 Banner Revealed

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The senior parents presented the class banner to the seniors after their picnic Thursday evening. After the banner was unveiled, the students signed their class mural in the senior hall and picked up their senior shirts. The banner now hangs in the senior hall. 

Senior parent Amy Bethea talked to the seniors about their senior year and what the banner represented.

“What He opens no one can shut,
and what He shuts no one can open.
I know your deeds.
See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.’

As you begin the end of your high school career, I thought this passage from the end of the Bible in Revelation was both fitting and timely.

Over the next 10 months, you will be making your way toward an open door of endless opportunities, and God has been using some very special door holders to prepare your way as you step through to the other side:
    •    Your parents–who have sacrificed in ways you can never imagine to give you a great education
    •    Your teachers–who have prayed for you by name and mentored you
    •    Your coaches and  directors–who have not only led you in extracurricular activities, but have also helped shape you
They are all door holders to the open door God has placed before you.

On May 15, 87 of you will pass through that door and go in 88 different directions. The most accurate visual to describe that is one of those directional signs you might see on a beach vacation or on a hiking trail: signs and arrows pointing in every direction with the distance to reaching that goal.

Each board on the directional sign represents one of you. Some of you will have a short distance to go with college and career falling perfectly into place. Others of you may have many miles of “life” to go—not getting into your 1st choice college… changing your major… not receiving that dream job offer. 

Your class officers have selected a verse from Proverbs around which your class banner is focused: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

You may be approaching graduation feeling overwhelmed by walking through that open door and facing that directional sign and wondering which way to go. So as you walk past this banner every day for the next 10 months, let it be a reminder and an encouragement to you that
    1.    God goes before you. He is with you and will never leave you.
    2.    Your trusting and submitting to God—no matter what you do beyond high school—will be blessed by Him, and the doors will continue to open according to His plans for you.

This banner is just a big ol’ plastic picture. But a picture is worth a thousand words, and your parents pray that every day you pass this banner God’s truth will speak to you through the imagery.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

Now, every good journey requires a good soundtrack, and you can’t live in Memphis without giving a nod to our strong music heritage. So, your banner is a giant concert poster of sorts that we hope will inspire you daily to spend time with God in making the soundtrack of your life, no matter which direction life takes you!”