Here we are, that time of year where many are graduating, receiving that long-sought-after diploma. The lessons learned have hopefully equipped scholars to successfully embark on their choice career.

Sometimes, a life of lessons learned can feel like a series of graduations. Other times, we may experience feeling stuck in a series of repeated summer school sessions.

Challenges or seasons of difficulty give us the opportunity to grow in our faith and experience a closer walk with God. Remember, He knows exactly what we need in order to mature in our relationship with Him.

Maturing or “graduating” is up to us. When we refuse to learn the lessons God has for us, we become stuck in a summer school cycle.

That’s what the Israelites did after they left Egypt. God wanted them to understand that He was trustworthy. He was with them and would meet all their needs.

But they repeatedly panicked, grumbled, and complained. Instead of waiting to see how God would provide for them, they went to Moses and whined or took matters into their own hands causing epic failures.

The Israelites were such slow learners that they stayed in the desert for 40 “summer school sessions.” It was the next generation who finally entered God’s promised land.

May we learn from their example and heed the words of James: “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).

I figure, becoming “mature and complete” takes a multitude of mini-graduations and hopefully fewer summer school sessions to learn our lessons.