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I Will Not Despise My Youth




Heather Duncan

I recently turned 22, and boy, have I never been more anxious to “grow up” than I am now! At this age, it seems all my friends are getting married, having children and beginning their lives as successful adults and I am absolutely awaiting the moment when it is my turn for these things to happen. I can hardly wait to become engaged, have a Big Day of my own and begin bringing little servants of the Lord into this world, and I'm not even dating anyone!

A friend of mine and I were speaking on the phone this morning about her engagement  pictures. Another friend of ours will be photographing the couple's announcements and I will be graphically designing their layout and producing them. As we were discussing the specifications that she and her fiancé would like to include, I began feeling anxious and even a little envious of her situation.

This brought to mind a verse I learned years ago and sometimes have a hard time applying in my life. The Bible says in I Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in purity.” I was reminded that God has me in this very situation unique to myself for a purpose.

While I am anxious to move on in my life and begin a new chapter, God tells me not to be unhappy with my young age and lack of experience, but to embrace it and to use it toglorify Him.

“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thyyouth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.”  Ecclesiastes 11:9

As I know I will one day be a wife and a mother, I also know that I will be judged based on my actions as such. Likewise, my actions as a single, young adult will be judged, even long after that time has passed. The verse I just referenced from Ecclesiastestells me to walk in the ways of my heart. In II Corinthians, verse 17, I am told that “if anyman be in Christ, he is a new creature,” and in Romans 12:2 to “be not conformed tothis world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove whatis that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Once I became saved, I was challenged by God to become a new creature, to walk differently than the lost people of  the world. Rather than despise my youth and waste it desiring to “grow up” and become things that God does not yet have ready for me, I choose to embrace my youth and “set an example of the believers.” I can take this time in my life to be an example to other girls my age who may have recently received Christ as their Savior and do not know quite yet what being a new creature means. I also can use this time to be an exampleto the girls involved with the Teen Department at my church. Being an adult does not necessarily mean living the life of an “adult.” When I am judged for my actions as a single adult, I want God to recognize that I spent my time trying to be an example for others, in word and in purity. I want my new creature to shine through my young age.

I know many people look down on the younger people of today's society, and to some extent, it is not unjustified. But God has a plan for me, and He can and will use me, regardless of my age and status in life if I learn to be content in my youth and openmyself up to all that He has to give me.


Copyright © 2008-2015 Heather Duncan


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