APP: The time between being a child and an adult can be strange. Changes with our bodies and emotions can make us feel as if we’re riding on a gigantic roller coaster. It’s easy to get frustrated and tired of hearing your grandparents say stuff like “Wait until you get older” or your aunt say, “Dear, when I was your age…” We have to be careful we don’t waste the time in our lives when we are young, because we can make a difference if we really want to. At the core of every major movement in human history have been young people. Most of the time good things have happened. But sometimes movements like Hitler’s Nazi Youth led to a nightmare. Keep in mind that just because you’re young doesn’t mean you’re immature. And just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you’re automatically mature. Our world needs change, but more has to happen than building a movement around information technology or political and social action. All of this can be good, but it won’t be enough without a spiritual foundation for the movement. Dream big dreams of how God can use you, surrender them to Him, work on growing spiritually, and see what happens. God has used youth to change history, and there’s still much to be done.
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 TIMOTHY 4:12 ESV
Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
ECCLESIASTES 12:1 NLT
My child, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in mind. Then you will live a long time, and your life will be successful. Don’t ever forget kindness and truth. Wear them like a necklace. Write them on your heart as if on a tablet. Then you will be respected and will please both God and people. Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success. Don’t depend on your own wisdom. Respect the LORD and refuse to do wrong.
PROVERBS 3:1–7 NCV
Some people brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them, but his followers told them to stop. When Jesus saw this, he was upset and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children. I tell you the truth, you must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a little child, or you will never enter it.” Then Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.
MARK 10:13–16 NCV