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21st October 2010 by David Brice

Have you ever felt just too young to have a voice, to make a difference, or to be an influence?

I have often felt that way. I remember this feeling so strongly when I sat in my first ever youth leaders meeting. I was with a bunch of friends, but as a young teen I was easily the youngest person in the room. I thought that I had nothing to contribute so I just sat there without saying a word. 

Even when I did have something to say, I thought, they probably wouldn't pay any attention to it anyway – I'm too young.

No such thing

Reading through the Bible, I've discovered it is full of stories about young people doing cool things. There is a crazy amount of stories where a young person or the youngest family member is used by God to do something mighty for him – although the culture of the day expected the eldest son to have the "higher" position. 

Take King David for example. The youngest son in his family – belittled by his brothers, and told by King Saul that he was too young to fight. However, as a young man of God, he stepped up and acted when others were afraid. David became an example to the whole nation and eventually one of Israel's most respected Kings (1 and 2 Samuel).

Then there is Josiah. This poor kid is given the Kingdom of Judah at the age of eight! Unlike the kings before him, Josiah decided to step up, lead and do the right thing. He reformed the nation while he was a young man and is one of the few Kings from that time period who the Bible speaks positively about (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35).

Don't forget the prophet Jeremiah who thought he couldn't speak because he was "just a child" (Jeremiah 1:6). However, he stepped up when God asked him to, becoming a significant voice in Israel's history... and the list goes on.

These three men are examples to you as a reminder that you are never "too young" to be a person of influence and a person who God will use to do cool things.

Be the example

I love the Apostle Paul's letter from 1 Timothy in the New Testament. Paul writes to this guy called Timothy – almost like a father giving advice to his son.  I'm not sure what was going through Timothy's head, but he appears stressed about his age and worried that he won't be respected by the people around him. Paul gives him this advice:

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity," (1 Timothy 4:12).

I love that. Paul was not bothered by Timothy's age. He was only concerned with Timothy's character and integrity. Paul knew that Timothy's authenticity was vital when being an example to the people around him.

Somehow I don't think God is worrying about whether you are old enough to make a difference and be an influence. The question you need to ask yourself is; in what ways are you being an example to others by the way you speak, the way you live and the way you love?

Don't just look to others who are older to be the example.  Be the example yourself and watch those around you sit up and take notice – no matter how old you are.

By David Brice

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1. 

   erin

   November 02, 2010 at 7:09pm

   thanks this advice stuff really helps me great article btw and yeah little people can domlots of amazing things :)

   Reply