finding purpose in young adulthood
Let No One Despise You For Your Youth
As young adults, I think we tend to dwell on pressure rather than purpose.
We’re overwhelmed by the pressure to prove – to prove that we have potential, that we’re good at what we do, that we don’t need to have had a lot of experience to have valuable input. Sometimes our youth can feel like a burden and obstacle instead of the invaluable, purposeful gift it is.
I’d like you to take a step back with me and evaluate your life for a second.
Years from now, we might look into a mirror and wonder where the time went and what in the world we did with it. In the grand span of our life, we may think about these years that we’re in right now more than we realize.
How are you redeeming the time?
I hope it’s not in frustration, pressure, discouragement and unholy hustle.
Paul famously charged Timothy to set an example in our youth – in speech, life, love, faith, purity.
The world has a gigantic spotlight on us, young people, whether we realize it or not. Everyone wants to know how we’ll act and react. Everyone sets an example for someone, but as young people – and especially young leaders, young pastors (like Timothy), young couples, young Christians – we have a little bit of a novel appeal.
The world is attracted and drawn to a young, happy person. We put them in our commercials as an ideal, we reach out to them in the polls, we ask them for their opinions, we hold onto their lifestyle.
They want to know our secret; the ins and outs of our lives.
We have that voice and we have those means to set that example.
In kind, uplifting speech.
In a joyful life.
In agape love.
In unabashed faith.
In physical, emotional, and spiritual purity.
The best way to overcome that pressure to prove is to set an example right where you are. Whether you realize it or not, the world and those around you are listening. Teach believers with your life; be diligent in your relationship with Christ. Youth is the soapbox on which we can stand to get Christ’s word out with confidence, and we should allow our heart to glory in these wonderful years.