On the outside looking in, it may seem like they are having the time of their lives but from experience and from a by-standers viewpoint, it’s not worth it. At this age, going so hard for God and His kingdom is uncommon and many people, young and old, just don’t understand us. I don’t know about any of you, but it’s common for people to tell me that I’m too young to take God seriously or that God will always be there, go have fun and turn up now before it’s too late. To be honest, I’ll happily pass. I used to believe that there was no place for someone my age or younger in the kingdom. I thought we couldn’t do the real work of the Lord until we were well and grown, like 30 or older. I thought this because when I was younger, I didn’t see many young people in the churches that I attended and if I did, they were either forced to be there or weren’t really living for the Lord. For a long time, I believed that being young was a time to experiment with different things and see what I like and don’t like; really find myself and who I am. Boy was I was wrong. To be young and to know your identity in Christ is an amazing thing. It saves you from all the disappointment, trials, phases, and heartbreaks that you would face otherwise if you had to go through life constantly trying to figure out who you are. You are in a place where the only thing that validates you is the Lord, not man. Young people will always be used by God to do great things. For example, the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah was set apart before he was even born in order to become a great and powerful prophet (v. 5). His mission was to proclaim the destruction and building of nations that would lead to the Kingdom of God (v. 10). He tried to argue that he was too young but God said otherwise: The lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” “O Sovereign lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the lord, have spoken!” -Jeremiah 1:4-8 (NLT) People will always try and make you feel ashamed for being young and unashamed but when you are strong and solid in your relationship with the Lord; what they say won’t phase you much. Being obedient and truly having a heart for God can take you places that no sin can ever take you. The only thing sin leads to is death. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. –Romans 6:23 (KJV) For example, Daniel and his friends. After Jerusalem was besieged by King Nebuchadnezzar, he ordered his chief of staff “to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives.” –Daniel 1:3 (NLT)
God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. –Daniel 1:17 (NLT). In Daniel 3, we see that King Nebuchadnezzar builds a gold statue and he commands everyone in his kingdom to bow down and worship it. Everyone follows his orders with the exception of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These young men refuse to disobey the law of God and in turn, the king throws them in a blazing furnace. ”If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” –Daniel 3:17-18 (NLT) As he promised, the king threw them into the furnace tied up and fully dressed but because they were obedient and faithful to the Lord, they did not die. In verse 25, the king looks in the furnace and sees that Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are just walking around in the fire with another figure that is the angel that came to save them. King Nebuchadnezzar then praises the God that they worship and order that if anyone talks down on their God, then they shall be put to death (v. 28-29).
Never let anyone tell you that it’s wrong to be on fire for Christ at a young age. Don’t let anyone make you feel ashamed because of how much you love God and want to honor him with your mind, heart, body, and soul. Shout out to the young people who have made a stand to live for God. Those who are saving themselves and practicing purity. Those who don’t drink or smoke because they recognize that the Holy Spirit lives within them and their body is a temple. Those who don’t cuss or speak bad about others because they understand that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Those who don’t willingly put themselves in a position to be tempted because they know the wages of sin. Those who love and praise the Lord with all they have because they understand that God is the lifeline. Those who know the word and apply it to their everyday lives because they know the law of God is above all and those who are getting it all together and repenting in the process. Those who strive to love because they know that love is the greatest commandment. Those who are simply waiting on the Lord. Keep pushing and keep being righteous, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be more like Jesus in every way! Never feel ashamed and let anyone tell you otherwise. Until next time -Kya
6 Comments
3/15/2017 08:23:35 pm
Love this post! In college, your faith is continuously tested however I feel it has made my relationship stronger with God. It is so important to be soooo unashamed when you're passionate about your fait and the Lord!
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Natara
3/16/2017 01:18:39 pm
Amazing post!!!!
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Jordan
3/16/2017 04:35:18 pm
Great job but , try putting prayers to up your game . Lil Bro
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Thomas
3/16/2017 05:54:59 pm
This is awesome!! You should be a journalist...
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Sheila
3/17/2017 07:04:20 pm
Just read latest blog. A lot of what is peer pressure for young adults , is still same peer pressure for older adults. Good reading.
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Bola Ifeobu
3/20/2017 11:18:55 am
My email is [email protected]. when I made up my mind to follow the Lord, I followed him unashamed. I shared who I was with ppl around because they need the life I have. Kya, continue to live for Christ unashamed. I too can relate with you when I was younger when I told myself I will get serious with God when I get older but I'm so glad he snatched me up when I was younger. I'm eternally grateful😊
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