The Wise Youth Hired for Christ
1 Tim. 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Text: Matt 20:1-16 [The parable of hired workers]
In common language a youth is anyone who is young and has a whole lifetime before him or her. Typically, we would think of such a person as someone in his or her late teens or early twenties. He or she would have goals and ambitions; career ambitions, marital ambition, wealth goals, lifestyle and a future that seemingly is under his or her control.
In spiritual parlance, a youth is anyone who is willing to submit his or her will to God. Such a person is sold out to God at an early age willing to obey the Master, Christ, first and foremost. If we must state an age, such a person is thirty years old or younger. Maybe, at an age as early as four! We are not talking of someone who claims he is young at heart and is in his or her forties, fifties or sixties. These too have a place in God’s kingdom but are offering themselves to be hired late in God’s vineyard. They too may receive equal wages with those hired early in their youth but the discretion is the Lord’s, not man. The good news is; the grace of God covers every person in His vineyard no matter when they come in.
At Christ Our Wisdom and Power Pentecostal Missions, the Youth Ministry is a forum where the youths can interact and share the gospel of Christ, come to know the dynamic transforming power as they grow and mature more and more from childhood into adulthood. Our goal is to raise boys and girls, young men and women to enjoy the satisfaction that Christ brings and live purposeful lives that brings glory to God.
If you have not started this journey of a lifetime of commitment to God, He is telling you through this short exhortation to stop in your tracks and think about Him. He has great plans for your life that is ahead of you. You cannot steer your life alone! Let Jesus come into your boat and help you steer your life safely to harbour. Stand strong and let Him take first place in your life!
When you fully embrace Christ in your youth and grow in that grace to adulthood, you are set-up to impart the world, people in your generation and many others after you. You can take a cue from the youths in Scriptures who lived exemplary lives and carried that love, wisdom, knowledge and service for God into adulthood. These include Abel, Joseph, Samuel, David, Solomon, Josiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Timothy and many others. After their encounter with God in childhood or as youths, they became god-like in character, conversation and testimony. They did not live wasted lives anymore. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they received divine wisdom as they matured into adulthood. They received strength that helped them to do exploit for the kingdom. Such will be your case when you truly allow God to take first place in your life.
You might be thinking, “What will I benefit if I devote my life to God at such an early age?” You might also ask yourself, “Am I ready to pay the price for identifying with God?” “Am I ready to lose worldly pleasures and friends who would want to discourage me from moving forward with God?” While you ponder over these questions and others, know that your future and lifespan ultimately are in God’s hands and not yours. Knowing Christ at an early age does not mean a life free of challenges and difficulties. The difference is you have God to guide you. Each of these Bible characters faced challenges but they were able to surmount the difficulties of life because the fear and knowledge of God had become the compass for their lives.
Like theirs, your life too can be a signpost for others to emulate as you grow not only in stature but also in God’s wisdom. The favour of God and that of man becomes yours. This was the case for Christ and it will be the same in your situation. Wouldn’t you like to be enlisted as a youth in God’s eternal army and rout God’s foes, that is, the activities of Satan in your life and that of others? I think it is a worthy investment. You are not gambling with your life because victory is assured. God is on your side and that is what matters. Ask God in prayers to breathe His fire and power by the Holy Spirit into your heart to live this new life for Him.
If you want to know more about this way, and how you can become more relevant as a youth so that you receive God’s blessings and become a blessing to your generation, contact us by e-mail at support@christwisdom.org
Pastoral Team