GOD's Call to Youth
Youth of the World come to Jesus
"But aren't youth too young to do anything great for God?"
In every age God has called youth to do a special work for Him. He told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
Keenly aware of his inexperience, Jeremiah replied, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."
But the Lord answered, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you" (Jer. 1:5-7).
God has a plan for your life as surely as He did for Jeremiah's. The same Word which made Jeremiah fearless in the face of imprisonment and persecution will strengthen you to accomplish the task He gives you.
God asks only for a willing, believing heart.
Do you believe He has called you to a special work for Him?
Are you willing to follow Him wherever He might lead?
"What if God asks me to do something difficult?"
As we look at the early years of Jesus, we find His childhood was like ours. He didn't tell His friends tales about the glories of heaven, because He didn't remember heaven.
As He "increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52), His knowledge of His heavenly Father grew because of His study of the Bible.
His early years were difficult, for He often endured the ridicule of His brothers and neighbor children, who taunted Him for not joining in their sinful practices. To them His example had to be a constant rebuke.
Just how much Mary told Jesus of the miracle of His birth we don't know. We do know He didn't understand His Father's purpose for His life until His twelfth year. For the first time, He joined His parents and other Israelites in their once-a-year trip to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.
His heavenly Father had given Him up in love--a gift to the human race forever. No wonder He later said in His ministry, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son . . ." (John 3:16).
<< Home