“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” - 1 Timothy 4:12

I felt blessed this past week. I felt blessed because as I prepared for a special send-off and prayer for the students in our congregation who have graduated high school and are preparing for college, I was reminded of their great heart for the Lord and the example they have set for our congregation.

I felt blessed to be able to truthfully say in front of our congregation that we are going to have to collectively step up to fill THEIR shoes because they have been active in serving God in so many ways. They have been an awesome example for us all to follow.

I’m not going to get into politics and fiscal policy here, but due to the circumstance and situation set forth because of changes in unemployment compensation in the wake of COVID-19, something else has become very apparent to me and maybe you have noticed it as well. I don’t remember ever seeing such a high ratio of teenagers and college age men and women in the workplace.

Every business I go to seems to be short-staffed, but it is these youth that are busting their butts to make sure shelves are stocked and food is served or delivered. In a world that has so often negatively commented on the work ethic of youth, I am proud of and blessed by the efforts of these young men and women on a daily basis.

I love and admire their heart for wanting to make the world a better place. I see a fire and passion to share God’s love and a willingness to leave their comfort zones to make it happen.

Maybe as seasoned adults we have become jaded and overly pessimistic about the world around us. We may have known the Lord longer but the youth seem to have a much greater understanding that the Sovereign Lord of all creation, the worker of miracles, is fully capable of working through us to bring about radical change for the better.

To those with abundant youthfulness, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

Keep desiring after Truth, keep seeking after the Lord, keep being an example for others to follow. May God bless you by leading you into an ever-deepening relationship with Him.

For those of us with waning amounts of youthfulness, let us not look down upon but lift up the many youth in our community who are doing amazing things. May we be inspired by them and encourage them at every turn. They are the future leaders in the church and I know the Lord is going to do a great work through them!