Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Jan/81

Contributor - Rev. Mark Bonnema

Title - Never "Only" A Youth

Topic - Youth

In this first issue of the new year, Pioneer pays special attention to the young people of our churches.

God's call of the young Jeremiah to be a prophet has special meaning for young people in the church. In Jer. 1:5, the Lord said to Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb I chose you; before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations". What a shocker that must have been to Jeremiah! Here he is still a boy, and he hears that God has long had big plans for his life. Jeremiah's uneasy reply was, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak, I am only a youth".

It is easy for me to understand Jeremiah's hesitancy. When in high school I was involved in speech club. I never had trouble with my speech when I was working with my speech coach,, but when I delivered my speech at contests, my nervousness made my mouth so dry that I had trouble forming the words. Naturally I felt like a fool, and that only made the problem worse.

I was able to duck out of my public speaking embarrassment after one year (never imagining that I would become a "preacher"), but the Lord did not let Jeremiah off the hook. The Lord answered him, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord".

Jeremiah's lack of self-confidence, shared by most young people, was understood by the Lord. The God who created us knows our own limitations and fears. But God offered Jeremiah more than understanding - he offered his support and guidance.

Young people, you are not alone if you have feelings of self-consciousness, self-doubt, and sometimes even self-hatred. But God says to you as well, "Do not say 'I am only a youth'." Despite Jeremiah's young age, God had great plans for him and was able to give him important work to do. No matter how young you are or how insecure you feel, God knows your situation. If you can begin to believe in your own potential as much as God does, you can look forward to an exciting and challenging life!

Adults in the church have an extremely important role relating to young people. It is good that we pay special attention to the youth on Youth Sunday or during Youth Month. But if we think that is all the attention they need and we can ignore them the rest of the year, we are in for a rude awakening. If our consistories veto every new idea and program that our young people come up with, why should we be surprised when many of them lose interest in the church and become inactive? If God says to a young person, "Do not say 'I am only a youth' ", far be it from any human to say, "You are just a kid".

New beginnings seem to be easier at the beginning of a new year. Let those of us who are young people resolve to responsibly strive for the challenges God has for us. And let those of us who are adults resolve to recognize youth as important people with God-given potential. And let us all resolve to give each other the love and acceptance we need.

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