Of the 168 hours that each week provides, I spend 40 in a classroom filled with computers and high school students. My desk is located near the entrance to this classroom and all day long, 5 days a week, I watch a parade of humanity hurry in and out that door. While there is always a good assortment of staff, teachers, and administrators with whom I can talk and strategize, the great majority of those who march in to use the computers are America’s youth.

Some march in step with the culture of public high school and others move to the rhythm of a different drummer. Every one of these kids is a fascinating and dynamic human being, and I am honored to help them integrate technology into their educational experiences. I am also honored to listen when they give voice to their thoughts.

This time of year the march for many of our students speeds up, especially for the seniors. In fact, some are playing a new tune, aptly titled, “Catch Up.” Somewhere during the parade they slowed down or maybe even stepped out of the line. As June approaches and graduation information dominates daily announcements, these kids quickly realize there is distance between themselves and the entry in front of them. They must work up a sweat to bridge the gap they have created on the parade route.

For others, it is not about finishing; they earned the necessary credits because they paced themselves all along, even managing to wave to the crowd and enjoy the parade. At the same time many have also been so busy performing that the end of this parade has suddenly come upon them — and with a shock!

They stand at my desk and begin posing the really tough questions.

How can I possibly choose what to do next fall? There are too many choices and I might make the wrong one!

How do I identify what I’m good at?

What on earth am I here for?

I like these discussions best, for when students begin giving voice to these questions — profound among life’s great queries — this signals their entry into young adulthood. They are beginning to recognize that to contemplate the most basic of human questions may be scary and frustrating, but it is noble. I have no doubt that it will also prove to be a compelling and lifelong drive, for God places such questioning deep into our souls.

Rick Warren, author of the mega-bestselling book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” tackles this topic. He contends that biblical scripture assures all who read it that God not only created us to serve Him, but also to serve each other in infinite ways. Therefore, He purposely made us “wonderfully complex,” creatively building into each one of us great diversity.

There is good news in this and perhaps some bad. The good? We will all walk different paths. There are places for all of us to work and serve. The bad news? We are a combination of so many things we may find it difficult to put it all together. And at different times in our lives, as we move from one parade to another, we may be forced to return to these basic questions — not to redefine ourselves but to better understand how to make use of our skills in light of changing life demands and acquired interests and skills.

Interestingly enough, there is no “bad” news from God’s perspective. When we skillfully merge our talents and interests, God rejoices, our world benefits, and we thrill with the gift of deep satisfaction. If we struggle, God hovers ever nearer — to comfort and guide us toward greater understanding. He cherishes this time with us, for it means there is questioning and anguish, understanding and rejoicing. It is the lack of interaction that pains God, not the intensity of it.

Rick Warren outlines his perspective on merging talents, life experiences, and personality using an acrostic. This poetic device is an arrangement of words in which the first letter of each line spells out a word. Warren uses the word SHAPE to explain how God equips us with all that we need to be content, successful, and positive players in our world. We will talk about this acrostic next week and consider how we might apply it to our lives.

For today, let’s join those anxious high school seniors and evaluate our own parade routes.

Am I embarrassed or enjoying this parade?

Am I able to synchronize with those around me?

Is God leading me or am I falling behind?

Enjoy the process, but beware — the answers may alter your march!

Freelance writer Joan Bay Klope’s e-mail address is jbklope

@hotmail.com

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