Article: DO NOT DESPISE YOUR YOUTH | Dr. Gladys Biju George

The word despise just emphasizes feeling of contempt or repugnance. In today’s generation glancing the inviduality of youths this seems to happen a lot. The Creator had a purpose behind every creation. Knowing the importance of each purpose and above that submitting willingly thereby adds more essence to life.

Viewing the scripture, when Apostle Paul writes his epistle to Timothy, one whom he considered as his true son he points out that, Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1Timothy:4:12). Apostle clearly knew the will of God in Timothy’s life and ministry. When he says, “Let no one despise your youth” he simply exhorts that you alone are responsible for your life and there is a possibility that people may despise your youth. We need to have a clear vision about our Christian life. There will definitely arise difficult situations where in we are in a confused state of choosing with what is right and what is wrong, we may be asked up with questions which we are unable to answer. In all such circumstances where we feel uncomfortable the only solution is to kneel down in prayers, in the presence of the Almighty Father, so that the spirit of truth will guide us in the way in which we ought to be. Not only that, we need to be an example wherever God places us, so that by observing our lives and our conduct the Gentiles should be drawn to the love of God. In short we need to have an attitude of Christ and His life should be revealed through us.

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”(Eccles:12:1). Here Solomon, the wisest among the wise focusses that difficult days and years will certainly arise when you will lose every sort of happiness and pleasure. But before those situations happen you need to remember the Creator and the best time for it is when you are a youth. You may probably have to sacrifice many comforts but there is an awaiting reward in the eternity. Our role model Jesus Christ loved us by shedding even his last drop of blood at a very young age. Reminding ourselves about this greatest sacrifice always helps us to carry the cross and follow the Master despite of the prevailing circumstances. Yes, we need to convince ourselves that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. When we arrive towards the end Solomon adds up, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing whether good or evil (Eccle:12:13,14). Since our God is a consuming fire let us be more careful that no one may despise our youth, that we be an example in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation by leading a holy life. May Almighty God bless you all.

Dr. Gladys Biju George

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