Be the Example
Have you ever felt too young—or too old—to do something important? Too small for a big job? Too inexperienced to contribute something meaningful? Too underqualified to make a real difference?
In the book of 1 Timothy, which is a God-inspired letter from Paul to his “son in the faith,” Timothy, Paul equips and encourages Timothy in things like doctrine, leadership, and living out the ways of God. He writes:
“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.”
1 Timothy 4:12 NIV
If you’ve ever felt too young, remember that God has purposefully put you here, at this specific time in history. He wants to use your passion, drive, vision, energy, and ideas to magnify His glory. You see things from a unique vantage point, and that's a great thing.
If you’ve ever felt too old, remember that God has purposefully put you here, at this specific time in history. He wants to use your learned wisdom, grit, leadership, discernment, and life experience to point others to Him. You see things from a unique vantage point, and that's a great thing.
You are never too young or too old to be used by God.
No matter your age, God has empowered you to love Him and to love others, and to live a life that points people to Him. How can you do that? You can set an example—in the way you talk, in the way you act, in the way you love, in the way you live out your faith, and in your purity.
You can be the example.
You can represent Him.
Keep the Faith
In the book of 2 Timothy, we find Paul writing a letter to Timothy—a fellow missionary and close friend.
Many Bible scholars believe that this was the last letter Paul wrote before his death, and that he wrote it from a Roman prison cell. Reflecting on his own life and believing that his death was coming soon, Paul writes a powerful passage:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
Faithful.
Paul was faithful to God and, without end, God was faithful to Paul. Shipwrecked. Stoned. Abandoned by friends. Imprisoned. The list of what Paul suffered goes on and on. But he persevered. He remained steadfast in his devotion to Christ.
When you think about your life, what do you want to be able to say at the end?
In Paul, we see an example of what it can look like to cling to faith in Christ. He knew what it meant to be dependent on Him for everything. He drew his strength from God, knowing he couldn't do it without ...