Our Youth

 You are young, but do not let anyone treat you as if you were not important. Be an example to show the believers how they should live. Show them with your words, with the way you live, with your love, with your faith, and with your pure life. Continue to read the Scriptures to the people, strengthen them, and teach them. Do these things until I come. Remember to use the gift that you have. That gift was given to you through a prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you. Continue to do those things. Give your life to doing them. Then everyone can see that your work is progressing. Be careful in your life and in your teaching. Continue to live and teach rightly. Then you will save yourself and those people who listen to you.

(1 Timothy 4:12-16 International Children’s Bible)

I’ve always loved the words of Timothy, both the first and second books he penned. He offers advice which is useful throughout the ages. Today is high school graduation in my hometown and I hope some of those kids have read those lines. 

I look around at the craziness going on in our world today. I’m fearful, sometimes, of what the future will be like for our young people. Of course, we must put our faith in God, that things will turn out according to His divine plan. And pray for this upcoming generation, that they figure it out; it will soon be up to them.

Heavenly Father, send Your Holy Spirit into the young people of this world, granting them peace, love and insight into Your holy plan. Amen. 

Just one of many youth groups at Lifest in Oshkosh last year, ready to tackle whatever task they were given for the day.