Steadfast, Immovable, Abounding

How many times have you heard the phrase “typical teenager”? I think it’s interesting that this description rarely, if ever, has positive implications. To define a teenager as “typical” is, in effect, to call them irresponsible, whiny, immature, spoiled, and inconsiderate. These are the associations society has formed with every young generation.

            But why is this the case? We do not describe any other age group with this word “typical.” Somehow, though, people have learned to expect nothing from teenagers but trouble. Unfortunately, many of us have believed what society has taught us—that we are incapable of being strong, enthusiastic, uplifting servants of Christ. We have become far too comfortable with the teenager stereotype and lived up to society’s low expectations. For too long, we have used the world’s assumptions as an excuse to disobey. Near the very beginning of the book of Jeremiah, the prophet says to the Lord (in one of my favorite passages!), “‘Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am a youth,” because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you’” (Jeremiah 1:6-8). I believe one of the most dangerous lies Satan tells young people is that age is a prerequisite for the calling of God. I’ve used my age as an excuse too many times to count. But as we see in the verses above, it is God who enables us to do His work. Our age doesn’t matter because our strength doesn’t come from ourselves to begin with.

            Many of us probably remember Job’s three friends who came to console him in his misery (and didn’t exactly do the best job). But I didn’t realize until recently that there was a fourth friend—a man named Elihu, who says nothing for the first thirty-one chapters of the book. Job 32:6-8 tells us, “So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said, ‘I am young in years and you are old; therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think. I thought age should speak, and increased years should teach wisdom. But it is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.’” I love that last sentence. Elihu didn’t disrespect Job’s age. He didn’t claim to be smarter or more spiritual than anyone else. He simply trusted that God would give him the understanding to speak His truth. For thirty-one chapters, Elihu had used his youth as an excuse to ignore the calling of God. He wasn’t going to do it any longer.

            I’m not suggesting that, as teenagers, it is our duty to create a front of maturity, standing aloof from our peers and arrogantly promoting our own “wisdom”. In fact, I think this is more often a sign of immaturity than otherwise. We are inexperienced and we do have a lot to learn. Chasing after the will of God does not necessitate ignoring our age. But it does mean we need to follow God’s expectations of Christians rather than the world’s expectations of teenagers. We need to realize that we are not exempt from the Great Commission—the duty to shine Christ’s light and exemplify His character belongs no less to us than to anyone else. As 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

            We often forget that God is sufficient to supply our needs. We get so distracted by our own inadequacy that we miss out on the opportunities He has in store for us. It’s hard to be an example in a world which expects so little of teenagers. It’s hard to comfort and encourage fellow Christians far older than us. It’s hard to live out the counter-cultural life of a teenager captivated by Jesus. But we are never alone—our God stands by us and gives us strength.

One of my favorite friendships in the Bible is Paul and Timothy’s. This father/son relationship is so obvious in everything the apostle writes. The elder refers to the younger as his child or son at least five different times. Paul writes to Timothy, “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy” (2 Timothy 1:3-4). You might be reading this post thinking, “I’m not a teenager; I’m not even a young adult. This really doesn’t apply to me.” If you are in that position, then I am absolutely begging you: invest in the young lives around you. Please don’t sit back, believing the world’s lie that every young person will reject your friendship or resent your spiritual wisdom. Some of my most treasured relationships are with those old enough to be my parents or grandparents. I am so grateful that these fellow Christians were willing to make a difference in me. Be a Paul in someone’s life. Encourage your Timothy to seek a higher calling than the world’s expectations—and in doing so, show Christ to a starving generation.