God Does not Count Your Age
As a teenager I always wondered if God could use me. I mean I was only so old and I had only so much to give. Some times I felt that older people would look down on me because they thought I could not do the task because I was so young.
God changed that mentality when I looked at a verse in 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse 12. Paul a spiritual giant, is talking to a young (probably in his twenties) pastor he left in charge of a church. What he told him not only encourages and challenges me but I hope it does the same for you. It says, "Don't let anyone look down upon you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity".
There is so much I could talk about in this passage but the biggest thing here is God is telling you that it does not matter how old you are he wants to use you. That is right, you. As you go back to school this week it can get real easy to think that you are not wanted or needed because of your age. God says to you don't let anyone look down on you. God used the youngest of people in the Bible to make a difference. I can think of David, Daniel, and even some of the disciples were no older than some of you.
But here comes the challenge. Paul goes on to say, "but set an example for the believers". People are watching you whether you know it or not. The biggest way we can make an impact and be used by God is by setting the example. By holding a moral standard when no one else is willing to. Paul goes on to list a long list of things we should be striving to set the example in. He talks about speech, keeping our mouth clean, in life, how we believe and follow God, in Love, knowing that our love comes from him, in faith, trusting even when it is hard, and the big one purity, keeping ourselves clean of the bad things of this world.
When you begin to set the example others take notice. Your friends will begin to wonder why you are doing it. Your parents will see maturity in your life. Adults will begin to trust you with more things. You will begin to push those around you to step higher. This is by no means easy, but when you go into your schools with a mentality that says I can be used and the first way I can be used is I am going to set the example, just watch and see what God will do.
Parents and older adults, help and encourage students. Don't think that God cannot use a student just because of their age. Help them to see where they can set the example. Try to be the best example to them that you can.
Students school is fast approaching. I will be praying for you and I know that God is with you. Consider what I told you as you walk the halls of your school. Realize that God can and will use you, even if you are just a teenager. Be willing to ask God where you can set the example in your school and in the community around you.
God changed that mentality when I looked at a verse in 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse 12. Paul a spiritual giant, is talking to a young (probably in his twenties) pastor he left in charge of a church. What he told him not only encourages and challenges me but I hope it does the same for you. It says, "Don't let anyone look down upon you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity".
There is so much I could talk about in this passage but the biggest thing here is God is telling you that it does not matter how old you are he wants to use you. That is right, you. As you go back to school this week it can get real easy to think that you are not wanted or needed because of your age. God says to you don't let anyone look down on you. God used the youngest of people in the Bible to make a difference. I can think of David, Daniel, and even some of the disciples were no older than some of you.
But here comes the challenge. Paul goes on to say, "but set an example for the believers". People are watching you whether you know it or not. The biggest way we can make an impact and be used by God is by setting the example. By holding a moral standard when no one else is willing to. Paul goes on to list a long list of things we should be striving to set the example in. He talks about speech, keeping our mouth clean, in life, how we believe and follow God, in Love, knowing that our love comes from him, in faith, trusting even when it is hard, and the big one purity, keeping ourselves clean of the bad things of this world.
When you begin to set the example others take notice. Your friends will begin to wonder why you are doing it. Your parents will see maturity in your life. Adults will begin to trust you with more things. You will begin to push those around you to step higher. This is by no means easy, but when you go into your schools with a mentality that says I can be used and the first way I can be used is I am going to set the example, just watch and see what God will do.
Parents and older adults, help and encourage students. Don't think that God cannot use a student just because of their age. Help them to see where they can set the example. Try to be the best example to them that you can.
Students school is fast approaching. I will be praying for you and I know that God is with you. Consider what I told you as you walk the halls of your school. Realize that God can and will use you, even if you are just a teenager. Be willing to ask God where you can set the example in your school and in the community around you.
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