Letting God Use Us as Teenagers
I've finally started a blog after many months of contemplating it. I greatly enjoy writing and this is such a good way to do so. I also want to share with others my heart and passion for more young Christians to rise up and be true followers of Christ, ones that are willing to walk the narrow, unpopular path. And since it is the first day of 2011, I thought it would be a perfect day to start!
So, as I look around these days, I see so much lacking in the actions of Christian teenagers. Especially as American young people, we have had it quite easy. If you really think about it, very few of us as Christians have ever been really persecuted. We have the ability to slide through our teen years and many think that we shouldn't try to do anything radical as Christians because, after all, we are just teenagers. Is that really true? I don't think so. I believe that if we are true believers in Christ that God has a purpose for our lives and that doesn't just begin magically when we turn 18 or 21 or 30. We can be examples. And that is what has really led me to blog... to encourage other young Christians to be strong in the Faith. I truly believe we can do more than spend countless hours texting and acting silly in these years. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. That thought process so very unpopular in this petty, immature culture and I know that. I mean, how can we set an example in such lofty subjects? It isn't easy, but it isn't impossible. It is hard, but sometimes hard is good. My point is that there is no point in wasting valuable years of our lives in the years from 12-whenever because that is supposedly supposed to be our time to rebel. There is so many opportunities waiting for those of us who will let God use us. So how do you set and example? How do we do anything great? Well, sometimes small things are a good start. For me (even though I have a long way to go), I just try not to let the fact that I'm 16 stop me from doing things that I can do as a follower of Jesus Christ. I play the piano, so I started playing some in the Praise Team at my church. Was/am I as good as someone older? No, but they have let me try so that I can be used. I am thankful. Now I get to help those younger than me and I get to try to be an example! That is such an honor. I am thankful for a family and church that allows Christians my age to be used. We may not be doing something that we would consider radically amazing but let me tell you that living as a child of God and letting His light shine through your life is a good place to start. It's the act of setting our hearts on things above and living in the world but not being of it.
So this wasn't a long post, but I'll get better. :) Hopefully.
So, as I look around these days, I see so much lacking in the actions of Christian teenagers. Especially as American young people, we have had it quite easy. If you really think about it, very few of us as Christians have ever been really persecuted. We have the ability to slide through our teen years and many think that we shouldn't try to do anything radical as Christians because, after all, we are just teenagers. Is that really true? I don't think so. I believe that if we are true believers in Christ that God has a purpose for our lives and that doesn't just begin magically when we turn 18 or 21 or 30. We can be examples. And that is what has really led me to blog... to encourage other young Christians to be strong in the Faith. I truly believe we can do more than spend countless hours texting and acting silly in these years. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. That thought process so very unpopular in this petty, immature culture and I know that. I mean, how can we set an example in such lofty subjects? It isn't easy, but it isn't impossible. It is hard, but sometimes hard is good. My point is that there is no point in wasting valuable years of our lives in the years from 12-whenever because that is supposedly supposed to be our time to rebel. There is so many opportunities waiting for those of us who will let God use us. So how do you set and example? How do we do anything great? Well, sometimes small things are a good start. For me (even though I have a long way to go), I just try not to let the fact that I'm 16 stop me from doing things that I can do as a follower of Jesus Christ. I play the piano, so I started playing some in the Praise Team at my church. Was/am I as good as someone older? No, but they have let me try so that I can be used. I am thankful. Now I get to help those younger than me and I get to try to be an example! That is such an honor. I am thankful for a family and church that allows Christians my age to be used. We may not be doing something that we would consider radically amazing but let me tell you that living as a child of God and letting His light shine through your life is a good place to start. It's the act of setting our hearts on things above and living in the world but not being of it.
So this wasn't a long post, but I'll get better. :) Hopefully.
Way to take action and make an impact by starting a blog! You're an excellent writer. Don't feel bad about writing a short post, oftentimes those are the best, and many will simply ignore or skim over the long ones.
ReplyDeleteI love your first post! I agree with what you said about young Christians doing things seems outlandish, but that is all the more reason for us to pursue those things, because after all, God greatly pursues us. Those 12 men that were disciples of Jesus were young people, just like us. Having made the decision to follow Christ at 14, there have been very few "easy" things in my path. Being a Christian has taken me out of my comfort zone and put me in tough situations. But when I think about the fact that this life isnt about me, it all seems so much clearer. The valleys that we sometimes stand in is only preparation for the mountain that we are about to stand on. Following Christ will not be easy, but it isnt about my comfort, so walking the narrow path isnt always comfortable but thats where Jesus is. Being where Jesus is......thats the whole point isnt it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Justin! I love hearing others thoughts. Yes, I agree with you. Being a Christian is the farthest thing from easy, if you are a sold out one, like you are. But I know you see as well as I do that there are many who claim Christ but would rather not have to walk the narrow path... so their actions don't match up with their words. When I went to Ethiopia, Africa with my Dad or even Mexico I saw Christians who are not only threatened verbally, but physically as well. In Ethiopia saying, "I'm a Christian" is threatening your life. Then I came home and I saw that most American Christians don't have it that hard. Then seeing the way that I and other Christians here passingly call ourselves Christians on FB, at school, wherever and don't act like it. I saw a problem. And we were just following our culture that often tells us, "Yeah get saved, but make sure you have a job which pays this or a car that is like that...." So we most certainly need to pursue and help them see, even though I still have a long way to go myself! Even though it is hard and uncomfortable, being where Jesus is is the best! You are so right! Thanks for the comment! Sorry for rambling.. you got me thinking!
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