I don’t know what the teen years were like for you, but mine were not memorable. I was quite insecure and completely disliked being a teenager.
Needless to say, telling others about God or thoughts about God’s plan for my life were not anywhere in the forefront of my mind. In fact, I always thought that God’s purpose for me wouldn’t unfold until I was older. I mean, what could He possibly do with a girl like me, right?
Wrong. We are never too young (or too old) to be used for the Kingdom of God. We just have to possess a willing heart.
I learned that firsthand by watching God at work in my older daughter’s life. Her confidence doesn’t rest in the opinions of others, but rather who God says she is. As a result, she is aware of the gifts He has blessed her with and is ready to use each one as they are revealed. For example, when she and her best friend heard a message challenging them about how their lives are impacting others now, they decided to hone in on their writing skills and start The Difference Blog: https://thedifferenceblog.wixsite.com/pr-blog to “encourage … inspire … and spread the good news of God with everyone.” From encouraging young girls to not give into peer pressure to inspiring many to love worshipping God, especially with the songs she writes, my daughter is determined to make an impact for His glory.
Whether it was the shepherd boy David defeating the giant Goliath in 1 Samuel chapter 17 or Daniel and his friends standing firm in their beliefs in Daniel chapter 1, their age didn’t prevent them from being used in great ways for the glory of God. These young people not only were secure in their identity and beliefs, they were confident in Who they belonged to. Their hearts were willing and they moved forward with boldness and courage to fulfill the plans God had for each of them.
1 Timothy 4:12 reminds us, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Grasp firmly onto this verse if you are the one questioning your purpose because you think you’re “too young”.
Perhaps you interact with a young person, whether it’s your own child, a niece/nephew, a grandchild, a teen at church, or one of your neighbors whose gift you clearly see, but they may not. May the Holy Spirit lead you to encourage this young person to use their gifts to make a difference for the Kingdom of God.
~Joyce