Sunday, March 30th, 2008
too young
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
– 1st Timothy 4:12
For me, it is an all too familiar sight, where people my age are constantly dismissed when taking on larger ministry opportunities because we are young. Especially in the more traditional cultures, (aka the asian culture) elders seem to hold all the authority, whereas youth hold little or no say in anything.
When we (ppl my age) want to teach Sunday school, we told that we are not mature enough and should try children’s ministry. When we want to hold workshops, we have to leap over hurdles and steeples in order to show that we do have something to say. And when we want to guest speak or share publicly in-front of our peers, it seems like we have to get a pastoral degree before we’ll get a chance.
But why? Why is it like that?
We in our youth have been given gifts, and a purpose from God. We each have the ability to make huge changes and impacts according to the gifts given to us by God. We don’t have to be wise and old in age before we can do big things. We don’t need a pastoral degree in order to share the truth, and do what God has impressed in our hearts. (given its legit)
I’m tired of hearing that we are too young to make a difference. Look in the Bible there are plenty of young people who have done marvelous things for the Lord. We have Timothy who led as a senior pastor in his church. We have Esther who (probably at the age of 16) saved hundreds of thousands of lives. We have David who became king and led a country not long after he defeated Goliath. We have Daniel and three other noble youths named Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who changed Babylon. We have Mary who (probably at the age of 14) was used by God to give birth to Jesus! And we have Jerimiah who protested against Judah.
The list goes on, and I’m sure you get the idea! God sees us for what He created us to be regardless of what our present circumstances are. God, in his sovereignty, created each of us with a purpose in mind.
The Call of Jeremiah
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.“Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”
But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
- Jer 1
Some of us were called to bigger ministries, but sometimes that door is barred by politics and rules. But don’t let that stop you. Because if it is what God has called you to do, then be like Timothy and challenge those around us to see what God sees in you! Be like Jeremiah and ignore the barriers of age. Challenge yourself to see the potential inside of you, and take the courage to go out and do bigger things for God.
And for the older people, one of the best gifts we have to give is our knowledge and experience. Be mentors and helpers! You can still do great things for God as a mentor. Encourage and up lift the youth that have the courage to go out there and do God’s work. Cause behind every Esther there was a Mordecai who saw the potential in them before they even saw it in themselves. For every Timothy, there was a Paul giving them support and the much needed words of encouragement.
When we look in the Bible we do not see a book of Mordecai, but a book of Esther. However, undoubtedly the only reason why the book of Esther exists is because of Mordecai; the mentors in the background.
We don’t have to be fifty with gray hairs before we can start to mentor. Even for people in University, don’t look down on the frosh. For they may have already led in their high school fellowships and home churches – and are looking for a chance to step it up in University. So be reminded that we can mentor, and it may be what God has called us to do! To encourage and bring up the youth, not to bar and stifle it.
So I hope that next time, when someone that is “young” asks to do things like speak at a winter retreat, or run a workshop, or lead a bible study – don’t just blow them off. But know that being young is a good thing. And that God can use anyone to do His ministry.
—
Note: Inspired by Pastor John Yoder
Extra:
Some of the greatest accomplishments recorded in history were done by youth. Just to name a few… Alexander the Great became king before he was thirty years old. Some of the great works of Shelley, Byron, Keats, Chopin, and Mozart were composed when they were teenagers.
on Sunday, March 30th, 2008 at 5:12 pm:
Amen.
on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 6:08 am:
Definitely, being young is not a restriction for people to serve. It’s all about surrendering to God and letting the Holy Spirit work through each of us that allows us to serve God effectively.