Youth
How often do we search out the truth about our young people?
These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Something to think about
'No one despise your youth.' Well, wouldn’t it be nice if we heard such words more often? In the UK at least, the youth is one of the most vilified sections of society – apparently they commit plenty of crime, are jobless, feckless and at the very least are taking ever easier exams.
Or are they? How often do we search out the truth about our young people? How many of you reading this are under 30? I am willing to bet it is a fair few of you who feel sometimes patronised by the Church.
It is bizarre how little we trust our youth in the West, where elsewhere there are children working all hours of the week. Not that I am saying they should be, far from it. But we can see that young people are totally capable of responsibility albeit in need of care and support.
By the same token, older people are also dismissed as 'past it'. Many face all sorts of discrimination daily. There must be some magic age that isn’t patronised, though I am yet to find it. Experience often isn’t trusted and youthful looks are deemed essential.
Could we not all believe in ourselves and others a little more? If we could use our gifts and encourage others to do so without fear or embarrassment, it would be a step forward.