HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
“I’m too young to serve the Lord!”
Have you ever thought or said these words? Do you know what God said to Jeremiah when he said this?
- How old do you have to be to be a servant of God?
- How old do you have to be to live a victorious life?
- How old do you have to be before you can do God’s will?
- Are you going to wait until you cannot function to serve the Lord?
It’s easy to say “I’m too young” to do this or that. To feel like you couldn’t possibly take on that kind of responsibility.
- Too young to really understand.
- Too young to make a difference.
- Too young to be useful. Too young to serve God.
It can seem daunting, overwhelming, and impossible. Or maybe you just feel like you aren’t ready to take it on yet.
Let’s look at the story of Jeremiah
There’s actually a story in the Bible about a young man who felt just like that. Jeremiah was really young when God came to him and told him that he was meant to be a prophet to Israel. (I am not sure about his age but some accounts say he was just 17!) He probably thought, “There’s gotta be someone else who would be better a choice to do this. There’s no way anyone will listen to me. I can’t be responsible for this.” Of course, this is all speculation, but just imagine what would go through your head in that situation.
So Jeremiah said to God, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” Jeremiah 1:6.
What was Jeremiah seeing? He was seeing what he knew about himself. What he would be capable of as Jeremiah, an average young person. But what he should have been seeing, and what God showed him, was what was possible, and what he could accomplish, when God was with him. For the job God was giving him, there was no lower age limit. All that he needed to do was be obedient to God and God would do the rest, through him.
“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,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:7-8.
The story of Jeremiah is an excellent example of a young person today! I am seeing so many young people walking into the doors of churches and no programs are in place to harness the energy and the talents of these young people. What I am seeing are the real old heads holding on to power and no teaching or training for the future of these young people. I believe that the Lord is calling us because we are young and can use us at the tender age
You’re never too young to serve the Lord!
So never feel like you are too young! What is it that God is actually asking of you? What are you capable of doing should you answer the call? This is not your decision or your call. All the Lord is saying to you (young people) is to come to Him.
“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23.
That is no more and no less than this: that you give up your own will in order to do what you know to be right at this moment right now. The younger you are when you start in this way, the better for you! You can become established in Christ from a young age, and you can grow up in God. You can be preserved from the evil in the world, you can be saved from the sin in your flesh, and your life will be good and pure and free!
You can for sure feel like it’s not possible for you. You know yourself well, and you feel that you yourself are just not capable. But God will be with you, just like He was with Jeremiah! Any heart that wants to serve Him is a heart that He will strengthen and help so that it will always succeed for you!
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and from throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9.
Be an example as unto the Lord
And don’t let anyone else tell you you’re too young either! When Timothy was quite young Paul considered him to be his most trusted co-worker and gave him a lot of responsibility in the church. There were probably some who were older than Timothy who thought that this was the wrong decision, but Paul said to him: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”1 Timothy 4:12.
- You’re not too young to be an example.
- You’re not too young to get victory over sin.
- You’re not too young to take responsibility for your life and make the right choices.
- You’re not too young to look to the future and make the choices that will secure a good and blessed future for yourself.
- You’re not too young to be accountable for your life.
You can start today to do what you know is right, and you never have to stop!
- Choose today my brothers and sisters to do the good!
- Choose today to answer your calling and give up your own will so you can do God’s will on earth!
- Choose today to overcome when you are tempted!
- Choose today to live for God instead of for yourself!
Learn from the story of Jeremiah, and from Timothy’s example. Actually, a young person is uniquely suited to the action.
- You’ve got energy,
- you’ve got enthusiasm,
- you’ve got passion.
Do you know how much time and energy you give to the things you really care about? That’s the kind of energy and enthusiasm you can focus on giving everything to serving God, to doing His will, to overcoming the temptations of your young life.
I am challenging you this very day and moment to answer the call and let God lead you into all truth. You never know where He is going to lead you and what your assignment will be like.
I am always willing to teach what I know and same time learn from you and the journey you are willing to take for the Lord. Pray you to have a very good day in the Lord.
