Did you say youts?

"Let no one despise your youth" or "Let no one look down on you because you are young" or how about this one, "Don't let anyone put you done because you're young". These are all the same verse said a little bit differently in various versions. They're all take from 1 Timothy 4:12. If you grew up in church, then you heard this verse over and over. Paul, writing to his "own son in the faith", giving him instructions as a young pastor says these words. Many times, when I heard this verse, I focused on the part that I just quoted. I would have thoughts like, "Yeah, I need to show the old people what's up!" and "The adults don't respect us/me and they don't serve and witness the way we do, so we need to show them up and light a fire under them to get on board!" I know, I know. I was a punk.

But here's the thing that missed. In verse 10, it says "For it is this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers." Notice the first part there says "we labor and strive". You know what word doesn't come to mind when I hear the words "labor and strive?" EASY. This verse is saying that this thing of following Jesus is a big deal. It's such a big deal that it's going to take alot of work. We're going to have to fight. We're going to have to push ourselves to the limit and then some! We're going to have to STRIVE!

And how do we do that? Well, after Paul told Timothy to not let anyone look down on him because of his young age, he tells him, "but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example to those who believe." I think many times we miss the point of the first part of the verse and take the not allowing anyone to look down on us part and have it say that now I'm going to take the back seat anymore! I'm going to lead all these old people and if they don't like it, they can find someone else! Instead we need to take it as, "If I want to make a difference, if I want to be heard, then I need to show myself as a true follower of Jesus."

I need to be an example with the words that I say (to others and about others), the things that I do (and that includes my attitude), in love (putting others first), and purity (of thought, mind, and actions). You might be sitting here thinking, well, I'm just not there yet. This may or not be true for you, but we should all be striving toward this. It's not about what others expect of us; it's what God desires for us, and He tells us that you and I are now a child of the King! Let's begin acting like it! You can do this! It's what God has made you for! Not just to be young and accepted, but set the standard of following Christ in your church! Have a great day!

Ron Foster
Mariners' Church