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Young & Free

    Have you ever been told or felt like you were too young to be in ministry? Too young to make an impact? Too young to hear from Jesus? Too inexperienced to effectively minister to others? I have. However, that is not Biblical whatsoever.

    No matter how old you are in years, or in your Christianity, there is no where in the Bible that tells us you can't hear from God and make a difference in this world. In fact, it tells us the opposite! Jeremiah is chosen by God as a prophet. Yet when The Lord tells him this, he protests! He says he is too young to speak the Lord's words. The Lord rebukes this response and tells Jeremiah he will speak His words! If our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), why would his opinion change on this topic? 

Jeremiah 1:4-8 The word of The Lord came to me: 
"I chose you before I formed you in the womb;
I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
But I protested. "Oh no, Lord God! Look, I don't know how to speak since I am only a youth."
Then The Lord said to me:
"Do not say, 'I am only a youth,' for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you."
This is the Lord's declaration. (HCSB)

    If that's not enough evidence, the word has the same message about Timothy in the New Testament. The great apostle Paul writes to Timothy, addressing his youth. He tells Timothy that he should be confident in his age and lead a life exemplary of the Christian faith. The message to the youth of today is the same.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (ESV)

    Paul sheds some light in his letters to Timothy on his background in Christ, which I find very interesting. He mentions Timothy's grandmother and mother and how they were faithful women of God.  He also mentions that Timothy has grown up in the word! This boy had a strong foundation in Christ.

2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (NIV)
2 Timothy 3:14-15 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures,which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

    It is made clear by these things that there is a special blessing for those who follow the Lord from their youth. If that still isn't clear, it is more explicitly stated as well. Purity is important to Jesus. Of course, He can restore us of our pasts and make us white as snow; but how much better off will we be if He doesn't have to? If we can live life as close to the way He intended as possible? Is that not the goal? To be transformed from glory to glory into the image of Christ? Think of how fruitful of a ministry one can have if they start walking with the Lord straight away! It sure sounds like Timothy's ministry was effective. 

2 Timothy 2:21-22 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (HCSB)

    Even if you have just recently accepted the Lord and are young in that sense (and maybe in age too), you can still make a difference for Christ right now. You have access to all the same gifts of God that seasoned believers do. It is the same Spirit and the same Jesus. There is no reason you can't minister to others. Of course, when we are new to the faith it is crucial that we seek to know Jesus in a more intimate way, learning His word and His ways so that we can correctly minister to others. 

    If you are young, take heart and confidently walk with Jesus! Seek Him and show Him to others! If you are older and have been looking down on those young and "inexperienced," repent and rejoice that the younger generation is seeking Jesus! That with encouragement and good teaching, they have a chance for effectiveness in their lifetime that may be beyond the scope of your own ministry. Thank Jesus for giving us all the power to influence the world for Him-- no matter what age we are!

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