Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
"Youth is to be with
the creator”
"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. (v.12)
St.
Paul prescribes Timothy, a young leader of the church at Ephesus a number of
ways to overcome hurdles and despite his age Timothy was willing to take on the
task. Paul advice on leadership apart from the many entrepreneurs and falls advertising
we see today. His struggles can resemble ours as youths which we face a great
deal of trouble. Paul instructs Timothy to practice holy living only then are
we true to what we say and teach others. This is probably one of the hardest
tasks youths face, especially today when so much in life entails manipulating
or getting away with something so you avoid trouble or embarrassment, but God
gives us countless opportunities to prove our loyalty to Him.
Paul
also says trouble is inevitable, even when we try to do what’s right: “We work
and struggle for this: ‘Our hope is set on the living God, who is the savior of
all people, especially those who believe’” (v.10). As youths, we’re sometimes
living two lives in one; a life that pleases our church community and the other
that adjusts outside the four walls of the church. We’re constantly pulled into
conversations that gloss over entertainment and gossip but we don’t practice
enough talk about Jesus. This is where Paul’s teachings to “practice” and “train”
for a holy life are talking to us; if we practice we can succeed at making our
spiritual life a mission statement. Paul also says to set the example in “word,
conduct, love, spirit, faith, and in purity” Sometimes being young has its
advantages. For instance, your vigor and enthusiasm for Christ is a powerful
thing. It’s so commanding that it becomes hard to ignore, especially for the
nonbelievers. People will want to take a second look at you because you sparked
their curiosity and it’s a place they’ve never explored, so you could be given
an opportunity like this to introduce Christ.
We
must know that each of us have an opportunity to minister to others, because
each of us have a talent that’s been tested and tried over the years with the
help and rigorous instruction of our church elders, teachers and parents.
Whether
you’re leading or living, you have to be led by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:18), that
way you stop yourself from doing things out of self-interest. But how do we
know when we’re led by the Spirit? The only way we know is by bearing the fruit
of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we want to be doers of your word and we believe
we are born for a time such as this. Help us to live and lead by example, and
move us into the life for which we were created. Amen
Thought for the Day: Whether you’re leading or living, be led
by the Holy Spirit.
Ansa
Varghese, Long Island M T C, NY
Theme of the week - Youth: a time to
be with the Creator