Run, Don't Walk!

Let no one despise your youth,

but set the believers an example in speech

and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

                                   — I Timothy 4:11

Are you a young man who desires to do great things for the Lord? Do you plan on fully living for the Lord once you have gotten beyond school? Would you like to display wisdom beyond your years? Then, don't wait; do it now! Consider this:

Look carefully then how you walk,

not as unwise men but as wise,

making the most of the time,

because the days are evil. 

Therefore do not be foolish

but understand what the will of the Lord is.

                                   — Ephesians 5:15-17

There have been young people in all ages who have demonstrated an incredible level of maturity. Often it has been in difficult situations such as war raging around them. There are probably Christian young people in some war-torn areas of the middle east today who are shouldering a load well beyond their years. Think of all the advantages you have over them! They may be ill-clothed, having to miss meals, having to elude both soldiers and their weapons of war, and yet their hearts still burn to serve the Lord. Consider all the advantages you have over them! Have you lost sleep because an army was shelling your neighborhood?

Why do you hesitate? Have you heard Him calling you? Which of your possessions do you consider of more value than knowing Christ? Lay it aside now; it will get no easier later — and then it may be too late! "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them.'" (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Consider all the great men of God who started later in life. Moses was eighty years old when he started to lead Israel out of Egypt! You have a great advantage in that you can start today to give Him your all. Take as your example David, a youth who had already faced both lions and bears before he confronted Goliath on the field of battle! (I Samuel 17:34,35)

Look at the opening verse again. Timothy, no more than a youth, was setting an example for the adults around him in speech, in conduct, in faith and in purity! The Lord will not despise your desire, but will rejoice that He has found someone after His own heart. Every minute you hesitate is one less minute you have to expend in the service of the Lord. You have the exact same amount of time as everyone else. Spend it wisely! Hear what God says to those who have ears to hear:

• Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:1,2

• Again he sets a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." — Hebrews 4:7

• And the Lord came and stood forth, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel (who may have been no more than ten years old) said, "Speak, for thy servant hears." — I Samuel 3:10