Since finishing university I have had a year’s invaluable experience working in a school, doing what God told me to do and now I am at a new and exciting school surrounded by young and qualified people and feel like such a little fish. I am qualified but feel that my age is a major issue. I know the devil is such a liar, because God is pushing me out there and he is trying to drag me back with doubt, fear and confusion.
My new school has me supervising and mentoring individuals, groups of girls and running an after school group for girls who are struggling socially. I know God has been trying to push me in His house but every time He does I run, I know Pastor Erica says “If we say no to God, eventually He’ll move on to someone else and they’ll receive what you were meant to”. God forbid, but this age thing is such a thing for me I find that every time God pushes me out there, I ask “WHO ME?”
So I decided to study every time God used young people in the bible.
TO SAVE ISRAEL IN TIME OF FAMINE: Through Joseph God provided Israel with a means to survive a famine. He was seventeen when sold as a slave to Potiphar - Genesis 37:2
TO DELIVER ISRAEL FROM THE PHILISTINES: God used David to defeat Goliath. Even though he was "but a youth", according to King Saul - 1 Samuel17:33
TO LEAD ISRAEL TO ITS GREATEST HEIGHTS: David appointed Solomon to succeed him. Who when he became king, thought of himself as but "a little child" - 1 Kings 3:7
TO PROPHESY TO THE NATIONS: Jeremiah, who tried to escape his prophetic call - Jeremiah 1:4-6. However God told him not to say, "I am a youth", and that He would be with him - Jeremiah 1:78
TO BRING THE SAVIOUR INTO THE WORLD: Which He did through Mary. Who was but a young virgin - Luke 1:26-33
What I realise is that God didn’t ask them to do the little things He’s asking of me now. He isn’t asking me or even telling me to defeat giants, lead a nation or give birth to the Messiah... He’s asking me to be bold and courageous, to trust and not doubt! In the NIV bible Jeremiah 1:6-8 is saying don’t tell God or complain how young or “incapable” we are. Jeremiah is like a lot of young people in Christ today. He used his age as reason not to perform or act, but God clearly says He is with us and will rescue us. I know so many young people who are capable and able to do so much, but because of their status as youth they shy away, run from or second guess their abilities in the area they have been called. I have friends who work in Government, own businesses, are purchasing their first properties and taking on contracts. But because of their status as a youth and fear of failure; they are unsure, they deliberate and waste time worrying that their age will let them down.
In 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 it says God chooses the lowly and un-influential of the world to proclaim His Glory. As young people, we are often viewed as insignificant, un-influential, irresponsible, unreliable and ignorant. I know that this sounds like I’m disregarding youth as nothing, but I’m not, I’m letting myself and others know that although the world may deem us as lowly, exploitable, uninfluential people; God will use us to proclaim His Glory, Works and Awesome power - Romans 9:21- 22 (MSG). We cannot ask God why we are able to do what we do, or ask why does He expect what He does from us? Just as it says we are used to proclaim His Glory or wrath... and I know which I’d rather be used for.
I just want to say this however cliché it sounds, we are the future and we in God’s hands are capable of SO MUCH! Encourage us; even push us at times when we are trying to shy away from what God is calling us to do. Utilise our youth, meaning use our passion and zeal whilst its fresh and we’re willing, before the world tries to taint us with the realities of life. Please do not despise, ignore or fail to lovingly correct us when you can see we are doing wrong (please do it lovingly, because as youth our correction is sometimes used as a chance to embarrass, belittle or ridicule us). Please don’t give us a hard time - Matthew 18:5-7
Cue Mum
Getting old is about change, we go through a season of change throughout our lives, our body changes we grow from a baby to toddler, puberty, teenager, adult, middle aged and elderly. As women our bodies change as we get older and go through the menopause.
1 Corinthians 13.11 “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-6 Everything has its time. “To everything there is a season a time for every purpose under heaven”.
On my 50th Birthday I wasn’t sure how to feel I wanted to celebrate “coming of age” but at the same time commiserate getting old, being single, cheap car insurance, stair lifts and not to mention the dreaded menopause. But God has a plan that includes people of every age and God can use us at any age. Our value is not determined by age because with age comes wisdom. God gave Sarah a child in her old age. Genesis 18: 10-12 Sometimes God doesn’t use us until we are old in Exodus Moses was 80 years old and Aaron 83 when they were chosen by God to speak to Pharaoh to free the people from Egypt.
But as we go through change and transition our faith will keep us strong knowing that God never changes despite the season of change we are going through. Hebrews 13:8
Old age is described in scripture as “good old age” 2 Chronicles 24: 15 “Jehoiada died when he was old and full of days; he was 130 years old at his death”
Genesis 15:15 “Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.”
Genesis 25: 8 “Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man full of years, and was gathered to his people”.
1 Chronicles 29:28 “so he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honour; and Solomon his reigned in his place.”
Psalm 92: 12-15 tells us if we live for Christ we will bear fruit in our youth and in our old age. This is confirmation that God looks after the elderly if we live righteous. As Christians we shouldn’t be discouraged about getting old its never too late.
Psalm 37:25 “I have been young and now I am old yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendents begging bread.
We can make use of our age especially if you are a parent, because being a parent is a life long pursuit you never stop being a mother or a father and as we age we become great and grand. There are people who are described as the greats who are most successful in a particular field. Great is a pre-fix of a generation. Grand as a pre-fix means best or winner ie; Grand slam, Grand stand I am a Grandmother so I’m a winner, I’m impressive. As a woman once said “No one ever called me great until I became a great grandmother. Living by faith and trusting God we should look forward to change and ageing. Old age is beautiful it demonstrates a righteous life, and looking after yourself. Research shows that people in Britain are now living longer. So getting older it a good thing and we should embrace it.
Proverbs 20:29 “The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head”
Kelly Margetson & Marlene Burton