In April this year, I put on a black gown, tossed my red ribbon and SMILED for the camera, and officially graduated with my Bachelor’s in Theology.

Cue the heavenly trumpets! Or at least a small hallelujah and maybe a nap.

What a journey. It took four long, full, refining years. When I started, our twin boys were just 1 and a half years old, barely walking, and I was already running, running after purpose, after diapers, many times really running as it is one of my favorite outlets, and then obviously after the call of God. That night when I said yes to studying theology, it only took one sentence to persuade my husband. He’s my partner in crime, my steady hand, my reminder that if God said it, we can do it.

We moved houses somewhere in between. Pastored our church. Grew our business, Elevate. Lost some sleep, gained some insight, and—oh yes—had to redo Apologetics because apparently, God thought there was still more to learn about defending the faith. I’ll be honest, I didn’t find it funny at first… but in hindsight, it’s just one of those God-moments where His infinite wisdom comes with a side of divine humor.

But here’s what stirred in my heart most during this graduation season:

This wasn’t just a cap-and-gown moment.

It was a whisper of a greater graduation still to come.

See, our walk with God has phases of preparation too.

There’s Justification , that moment when we come to Christ, saved by grace through faith (Rom 5:1).

Then comes Sanctification, the lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus, shedding the old self, bearing fruit, falling down and getting back up again.

And finally, there’s Glorification, the day we cross that final finish line, where we will hear the only words that will ever matter:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matt 25:21)

That will be our true graduation.

No retakes. No resets. When the time is up, it is up.

And in that moment, all that we’ve endured, carried, and learned will be made whole in His presence.

Now that my season of study is ending, I keep asking myself, “What now?” (Not because I suddenly have free time—spoiler alert: I don’t)

But because we are always in the process of becoming. Always being taught. Always being drawn closer.

This degree might be complete, but God’s classroom? It never closes.

So to you, dear friend, let me leave you with this:

Don’t wait for the stage or the certificate to say you’re ready to live a life that matters.

Get into the Word. Pursue Him. Study the path of life (Psalm 16:11). Ask the hard questions. Wrestle with truth. Surrender often. Obey quickly. 

One day, we will all graduate from this life. And when we do, I pray we stand before Him having passed what mattered most, not theology exams, but the test of faithfulness.

Keep climbing. Keep learning. Your Maker is watching… and cheering you on. 

Love V