Have you ever heard the saying, “young people are the church of tomorrow”? Probably you have, and most likely the person you heard say it meant it only for the good. But think about it. There’s something wrong with that idea. Are we just the church of tomorrow, or is it possible that we have a part in today’s church…today’s ministry as well?
Maybe you’ve been one of many to use the excuse, “but I’m only a kid….I’m only a young person…I’m only a teenager…” when you’re given the chance to make a difference or do something for God. This is especially the case when we are being asked to do something that might cause us to make a sacrifice or step out of our comfort zone.
So what’s the point that I’m trying to make? What do these two examples have to do with each other? YOU, as a young person, can make a difference right now. Not just later, but right now too. Don’t think to yourself that you have all your life ahead of you to serve God so you don’t need to serve Him now. You don’t know how much time you really do have. And even if it’s true that you have a whole life ahead of you to serve God, I can tell you right now that it’s not His Will for you to make a difference later in life only.
1 Timothy 4:12 says, “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.” This verse tells us not to let anyone look down on us for being young… No, it does not mean that you are to take offense or get upset with people who dismiss you as just being someone young without knowledge or experience. It means that you should show yourself as someone who makes a difference, someone who follows and serves God, and not the crowd. Give people a reason to respect you. Show them that you are a part of the church of today…not just tomorrow. Show them that you can minister to those around you NOW and not just later. Of course, I don’t mean for you to do these things to show people that they’re wrong. That’s not the point at all. In fact, the scriptures tell us NOT to do things as if for others but as though it is for God. The point is that you are a child of God, not any less than any adult out there. You can be a witness, a testimony, a minister to your friends and those you come into contact with NOW.
You see, that theory that you’re “just a young person” doesn’t mean a thing…not to God, and if you’re honest with yourself you know you don’t believe it either. God can use you regardless of age…but you must be dedicated to Him. The Bible is full of stories of how God used young people to accomplish His perfect plan. David was young when he killed Goliath and saved the whole nation of Israel by doing so. Josiah was just 8 years old when he became king, but God used him to bring the Israelites back to Him. Daniel and his friends were young when they were taken captive to Babylon, and God used them several different times to show His power and love to the Babylonians. Timothy was young, but Paul sent him on several important missions. In God’s eyes, you’re not just a young person, you’re HIS child and HIS messenger to the world.
Don’t miss out on the blessing of being a servant of God because you allow yourself or others to keep you from being obedient now. God wants to use you at the age you are now, not twenty or thirty or even ten years down the road. So remember this lesson…think about it, and say yes to God’s will for your life. Don’t let others look down on you for being young, show them God’ love and message real in your life RIGHT NOW!
-HK
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