If I told you that the earth is the center of the universe, you would probably think that I am not very intelligent or that I am at least "scientifically challenged." Yet, every day that you turn on the tube or radio or even surf the net, you are being told that the world revolves around you. Look out for number one, follow the me-first philosophy, or, as I call it, believe in the mirage of the "Kingdom of Self." I am here to tell you to not believe the lie.

In reality, there are two kingdoms, the Kingdom of Darkness and the Kingdom of Light. There is no Kingdom of Self, no Kingdom of Gray, no Kingdom of in-between. The truth is, the real power you have is the power to choose to which side you want to belong in which you will invest your life. That is your only power, the power to choose. Many of you have known your FA teacher or perhaps another Christian and observed a person investing his or her life, not for self, but for Christ, and His Kingdom, choosing daily to follow Him. You have been blessed and challenged by the light their lives reflect.

Some conventional wisdom that I truly believe is wise is, "Begin with the end in mind." You have all worked hard to come to this, a new beginning. You have many new assignments before you now: going to college, finding a meaningful career, choosing a marriage partner, beginning a family, voting on critical cultural-impacting issues and candidates. You need to begin with the end in mind with each of these choices. And each choice will help build either the Kingdom of Darkness or the Kingdom of Light. You will be investing your life in one or the other.

Few of you would have been delighted to work on an assignment if you knew that when you brought it to your teacher, he or she would have just lit a match to it. Yet that is what many do with their lives. Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing." How much is nothing? Nothing is no thing, a big fat zero.

Some of you may not know the simple truth of the Gospel, that Jesus, the Son of God bridged the gap sin has created between mankind and God, that by his death and resurrection we each might live with him in Eternity. You may think Jesus was a great person or a great teacher. But great teachers do not knowingly lie about themselves. So, He was either the greatest liar or self-deluded person this world has known or he was who he said he was. The staff and teachers of Family Academy® and I believe He was who He said He was. If you do not yet know Jesus, I encourage you to talk to your teacher or with any of our staff or board. Coming to an understanding of who Jesus is, is the most important assignment of your life. Don't skip this question, it is much too important.

So begin today with your end in mind. My charge to you is to invest your life with Jesus in His Kingdom of Light, where it will count for eternity. Don't try to hold onto life for yourself, you will only be disappointed in the end. As Jim Eliot once said, "You are not a fool if you give up what you cannot keep, to gain what you cannot lose."