"Do not anyone despise you because of your youth..." - I Tim 4:12In my two trips to India there was one sight I always looked forward to: elephants! These massive creatures were used by the villagers in the outlying areas in the same manner which we use bulldozers. A grow elephant can uproot mature trees, demolish building, and heft large boulders over their shoulders. They can accomplish feats that 50 grown men could not accomplish. If an elephant takes a walk and a tree is in the way, he makes the tree move! Sitting on an elephant is an amazing experience because you can feel and sense the raw power that is moving under you.
Yet despite this power many times they are led and directed by a little child. Even more ironic is how they keep the elephant from escaping (or otherwise roaming and causing mischief) when not working. How can you cage an animal that can rip steel doors off hinges, tear apart massive chains, and knock down brick walls? It's simple, just use a piece of twine and a small stake in the ground. You see, an elephant is taught from childhood that if something is attached to his rear foot, he cannot escape. At first they use massive chains when the creature is too small to break them. Over some time, the size and strength of the chain is reduced until all that is needed is a small twine. It is the mental shackle, not the twine, that is really keeping the elephant in captivity.
In the passage above Paul urges Timothy to not let people look down on him because of his youth. This includes Timothy as well. God has granted our youth culture so much potential. they have energy, strength, and endurance. In many ways, they have massive power and ability. Yet so often they shackle themselves to some little bit of satanic twine, some worldly thing that has captured their heart and mind and made them ineffective for God's service.
Certainly this is not a problem isolated to youth, but frankly I am getting more and more pessimistic of the older generations (including my own 30-something generation) finally securing the resolve to break the twine and begin serving Christ effectively. I pray they will, but I also look to the younger generation. Most are turning from Christ in droves, but there is a growing movement of young men and women desiring to break their shackles of twine.
These are the new, emerging leaders whom we should not despise. Find them, embrace them, disciple them, empower them.
Yet despite this power many times they are led and directed by a little child. Even more ironic is how they keep the elephant from escaping (or otherwise roaming and causing mischief) when not working. How can you cage an animal that can rip steel doors off hinges, tear apart massive chains, and knock down brick walls? It's simple, just use a piece of twine and a small stake in the ground. You see, an elephant is taught from childhood that if something is attached to his rear foot, he cannot escape. At first they use massive chains when the creature is too small to break them. Over some time, the size and strength of the chain is reduced until all that is needed is a small twine. It is the mental shackle, not the twine, that is really keeping the elephant in captivity.
In the passage above Paul urges Timothy to not let people look down on him because of his youth. This includes Timothy as well. God has granted our youth culture so much potential. they have energy, strength, and endurance. In many ways, they have massive power and ability. Yet so often they shackle themselves to some little bit of satanic twine, some worldly thing that has captured their heart and mind and made them ineffective for God's service.
Certainly this is not a problem isolated to youth, but frankly I am getting more and more pessimistic of the older generations (including my own 30-something generation) finally securing the resolve to break the twine and begin serving Christ effectively. I pray they will, but I also look to the younger generation. Most are turning from Christ in droves, but there is a growing movement of young men and women desiring to break their shackles of twine.
These are the new, emerging leaders whom we should not despise. Find them, embrace them, disciple them, empower them.
Greetings from Toledo.
ReplyDeleteI object to being referred to as "older" while in my 30's.