“Congratulations to our graduating high school seniors—Noah Choy (University of Utah) and Kaley Fung (Willamette University)—as you step into this exciting new chapter. We celebrate with you and send you off with this simple but profound charge from the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12:
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
These words may sound understated in a world driven by hustle and noise. But in them is a quiet strength—a call to live with integrity, purpose, and peace that stands out precisely because it is rooted in something deeper than the world can offer.
When I entered college, I was an atheist. I didn’t believe God existed. I even debated the Christians I met on campus. But there was something unmistakable about them—a lightness in their spirit, a confidence in their step, and a hope that wasn’t naïve but grounded. I now understand that what I saw was the Holy Spirit at work—the presence of Christ shaping who they were.
Dallas Willard once wrote,
“The main thing that God gets out of your life is the person you become.”
That truth still shapes me today. And it’s what I offer to each of you as you begin this next chapter:
- Who you are speaks louder than what you say.
- Your identity in Christ is more secure than any title, GPA, or career path.
- Faith is often caught more than taught—how you live will be someone’s glimpse of Jesus.
So my encouragement is this: lean into the transformation that college offers—not just academically, but spiritually. Let this be a season where you grow in wisdom, faith, and love. Seek to understand who God created you to be. Allow the Spirit to form your character, even more than your résumé.
And remember, a quiet life isn’t a small life—it’s a steady, faithful one, anchored in God’s presence and overflowing with His peace.
We’re proud of you. We’re praying for you. And we’ll be cheering you on as you continue becoming the person God created you to be.”