too young

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.*

too young. too inexperienced. too uneducated. too emotional. too fickle. too impatient. too unconnected. too passionate. too foolish....

I am lacking in so many qualities. People may sometimes say or think otherwise about me, but in truth, I am very young, and quite inexperienced, highly emotional, maybe with a well-rounded education and limited connections, but I am impatient, foolish and fickle. I feel these deficiencies looming high over me, swamping any hope of trying or doing something new. What can I do? How can I be useful? Who am I to tell someone how to do things? Who am I to lead a group? Who am I to plan an event? Who am I?

I am thankful that I am not the only young person struggling with these feelings. Timothy was a young man who was mentored by the Apostle Paul. Eventually Paul sent him to do his own ministry alone. There were days when Timothy would have compared himself to his mentor and seen just how little he really knew. There must have also been plenty of people in the community who looked at Timothy and wondered why on earth he thought he had the authority or right to tell them what to do. I can imagine him wondering if Paul had got it wrong, if maybe he should just give up, change careers, try something easier.

Paul writes to Timothy in a very personal and encouraging letter to give advice and support, we can read two of these letters in the Bible. At one point Paul reminds Timothy not to let anyone dismiss him because of his youth, but to press on being an example of Christ in how he spoke, what he did, how he loved, believed and prayed. Ok, maybe Timothy was an exceptional young person.

I reflect on one of my favourite Bible passages, that reminds readers that Gods wisdom is not human wisdom, that His ways are not our ways...

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”**

Sometimes being the top student, or having a quick wit, or a good way with words, or being mature, or experienced is very important for street credibility. But God doesn't look at us the same way society does. He sees other things, He values other things. He chooses people who may appear to us as foolish choices, shameful, weak and lowly. He works in and through me, us weak people, to remind us where our strength and skills come from- from God! And to show the world who is really powerful and wise- God! 

If I was smart, mature, educated, experienced, logical, patient, wise, connected, spoke with authority and was altogether just an amazing person. Well then, everything that I did, would be obviously my doing! ...because I'm just that good, that I don't need any help or inspiration. Thankfully, I am not wonder woman! And cannot do anything of meaning or significance alone. Without God, my Strength, my Wisdom, my Power, my Hope,  my Guide, my Redeemer I am simply eating, drinking, and living a bit of a boring life.

A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness***

Being young isn't a bad thing. I want to take the advice that Paul gave Timothy, and learn to be an example for all in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. And when I succeed, I'll boast in the Lord. And when I fail, I point to the Lord who forgives and works in and through weak vessels to show His power.

*1 Timothy 4:12
**1 Corinthians 1:27-31
*** Ecclesiastes 2:24-26a