Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/79

Contributor - Homer Lensink

Title - Young Person, It's Wonderful to be Young

Topic - Youth

Youth and age are not dates in time, but states of mind. Our duty is not only to add years to our lives, but to add life to our years. One may be a young old man or he may be an old young man. Time may wrinkle the skin, but worry, doubt, hate and the loss Of ideals wrinkle the soul. Fears, not years, bow the head and turn the glory of life into a horror. Whether we are seventy or seventeen, a sense of the wonder of life keeps us young.

The young person of today seldom sees the wonder of life, but, conversely, can only see a sick society and can take comfort only in the cheap pleasures it provides. There is a need for young people to find a home in the church, a home in Jesus Christ, then to turn back to the world, shining their light, telling people of the glories of God and to grow stronger in their faith as they witness.

Any young person is willing to learn, but is yet susceptible. The type of environment a youth grows up in will determine what kind of person he or she will become. His or her friends and activities mold that young person. Everything they are exposed to while growing up is part of that mold. It is the responsibility of the parents and the church to make up the biggest part of that mold. A young person needs fellowship and friendship, a chance to be with other young people so they can decide on what is right and wrong for their lives. The school and the street are common places today where young people make the wrong decisions. A young person in the home and in the church must learn what the Bible says about living a proper life for God so that he or she is able to say no to the worldly ways seen elsewhere.

Our church provides an opportunity for fellowship and learning through its youth work and through Camp Shalom. In these, the young person will learn that Jesus is alive and well, ready to live in their hearts and with Him, the young person will live a life fitting for God. The young person must meet friends in the church who they can relate to, who they can help, and who can help them with some of the frustrations along life's road.

And what must the young person do to avoid the temptations of the world? In Ecclesiastes 11: 9 it says: "Young person, it's wonderful to be young. Enjoy every minute of it. Do all you want to take in all you can ... but, realize that you must account to God for everything you have done." Life can be a most joyful experience, if lived right. Your youth does not last forever, for your days are numbered, and none of them should be spent in loneliness or sadness. Enjoy them while you can for soon will come the day when your weary body will slow you down.

Always be thankful for the blessings God gives you. Remember, He is always there to help you when you need it, and then to punish when you've done wrong.

Someone once wrote, "You can't control the length of your life, but you can control its width and depth. You can't control the contour of your countenance, but you can control its expression. You can't control the other person's opportunities, but you can grasp your own. You can't control the distance that your head shall be above the ground, but you can control the height of the contents of your head. Why worry about things you can't control? Get busy with controlling the things that depend on you.

James 1: 22 says, "Be ye doers of the Word and not just hearers only." Let us live life to the fullest, but let us live for the Lord.

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