Please, Let No One Look Down on You Because You’re Young

As I was growing into my young adult life, my mother instilled a scripture in me that I still hold near my heart today. 

“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

In my senior year of high school, I remember putting my foot down and saying no more to trying to fit in with the crowd. It was lonely and isolating to depart from such things in the beginning, but I knew that God had something greater over my life. I loved being an athlete and staying involved in school activities, however, I also loved being in the noise of the latest trends, drama, and house parties. No matter how much your parents instill truth into the home; you have to work your salvation out for yourself, no one can decide it for you. 

When I surrendered my life to Christ in my late teenage years, the Lord started to use me at the age of my youth to make an impact on those around me for His glory. So many times it felt uncomfortable to be different and yield to the truth of the gospel. When I went off to college, I took each day growing in the word of God for myself. I was so intrigued with life in Christ that I started a Bible study with the freshmen girls in my dorm. The school I attended that year was interesting, but I don’t regret the journey and everything I encountered. 

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul teaches Timothy how to be a servant and the proper way to heed to ministry. Timothy was charged to conduct himself in a way that would allow him to become an example for believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. 

Yes, there have been many lessons I have learned while growing in God’s word. The Lord would teach me (and still does) to humble myself enough to correct errors along the way. I never want to stop learning, growing, and following His ways and plans for my life. 

Truthfully, I believe Paul equipped Timothy to live out the gospel in a way that encouraged Him to run with endurance because the schemes of the enemy come to try to snuff away God’s mission and purpose in a person’s life, especially when it has to do with advancing the Kingdom of God.

For a nice chunk of my life, I struggled with feeling like I was ‘too young’ for ministry work or specific things assigned to me. But each time, the Lord would encourage me through His word of how age isn’t a factor when He calls His children.

The Prophet Jeremiah is a great example of someone being called in their youth and feeling inadequate because of age. 

“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Then said I:

“Ah, Lord God!
Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” Jeremiah 1:4-6

Here the Lord is telling Jeremiah that He has called Him. He didn’t just call Him to any small assignment, He called him to be a Prophet to the nations. 

How does Jeremiah respond? He says, “I am a youth”. At that very moment, Jeremiah invalidated what the Lord spoke to Him about because He thinks his age is a bearer of his impact ahead. I understand exactly how Jeremiah felt. 

By the time I was 22 years old, I was married, licensed to preach, and closing out ministry work with organizations in Kansas City.  There were times that I shrank back and lacked confidence because of being the youngest in the room or even the youngest in my family/peer circle.

The truth is this, when God calls you into an assignment, He will equip you for it despite your age and the only way to see the fruit of what He has assigned to you is to obey. It doesn’t matter how people feel about the call. What matters most is that you bear good fruit that prevents your ministry assignment from being tainted by the influence of people and the adversary, the enemy who is always prowling around seeking who He can devour (Refer to 1 Peter 5:8).

“But the Lord said to me:

“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

Just look at how the Lord responded to Jeremiah after He called him. He tells him, ‘Do not say I am a youth’. Do NOT be afraid of their faces.’

To the person reading this; do not be afraid of the faces that can make you timid to the things God has called to you. We don’t have to walk in our fear. Fearing the Lord is the only confidence and assurance we need when we are launched out to do intentional ministry work for Him.

The scripture even says in Jeremiah 1:9, “Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, I have put my words in your mouth.” How encouraging is that for Jeremiah? To know that the Lord will put the words in His mouth that He needs for Him to say. The confidence one can have that the Holy Spirit will guide their tongue when it comes to opening their mouth to proclaim the good news. Thank you Jesus we don’t have to operate in this work alone!

I will leave you with what Paul says to Timothy.

“Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and the doctrine.” 1 Timothy 4:13-15

Paul is telling Timothy not to neglect these gifts. Do not neglect the prophetic word from the Lord that gave you the charge to go forth in your callings. Timothy is encouraged to meditate on such things because, in due time, His progress will be evident to all. It will be evident to those that are in reach of the spaces God calls Him to. There will always be evidence of the doctrine He is taking in, which matters when it comes to preaching, teaching, and ministering to others. 

The day my husband and I got ordained together as ministers; we were in our early 20s. We have both had moments where the voices of people could have impacted the way God called us to ministry work at such a young age. But through laying on the hands of eldership, meditating faithfully through God’s word, and remaining a student and servant, we have grown through many tests and trials that stretched our faith. In addition to my role in the local church; I am called to love my husband and children well after God, faithfully steward every gift assigned to me, and disciple those around me that God has placed in my path.

So yes, no matter the age, let no one look down on you. For it is the Lord that calls and sends His children out.