2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
I love the exuberance of Youth. The energies felt as I was growing up. I recall the many long hours spent burnt under the sun training for volleyball, enjoying the pleasure of physical and mental training as we played match after match, despite the fact that the sun had gone down and I had bruised myself silly since afternoon.
I love the carefree days of my youth. The world was my oyster as I laughed and played with unlimited energy and engaged friends with arrogance and a care-free attitude. Apart from the major exams which caused me some stress, there was no real stress and responsibilities that bound me and constrained me. As I entered secondary 3 (15 year old) , the world was a big, exciting treasure chest. I acquired independence, was maturing, gaining self-confidence, and intellectually more confident.
But I also recall the ugly moments where the energies of youth were translated into aggression, violence and uncooth behaviour that caused tempers to flare, hurts and destruction. These were not proud moments of my life which I would like to relive but sadly, something that would continue to haunt me.
Paul warns his young ward, Timothy to "flee the evil desires of youth" simply because he too recognises the passions and energies associated with youth. Scientifically we know that the onset of youth, puberty, is when individual experiences physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. During which the body begins to produce the hormones necessary for pubertal development and the world of a youth seems to go upside down.
Adolescence is a period of great change and growth. Its a challenging phase because there are different expectations and encounters with the surrounding, and wide range of possible reactions and responses to growing up. Its also a time where sexual and material awakening occurs. Only in my days of youth did I suddenly desire to have branded clothes, nice shoes, stuff my peers had and I thought was essential for being normal.
In God's creation eyes, he fully understands all this issues of youth. Often I wonder how Jesus lived in his teenage years and wished the bible documented his life as he was a youth. That would be a great encouragement to many who go through this seemingly aweful phase of life. But it really doesn't matter as there are enough examples of how we are to live and cope with youth.
It's all about pursuing God and allowing him to teach us and mould us. Added to that, Paul says it is important to band together with other Godly youths and do things that are in righteousness, faith, love and peace. Peer pressure and support is one of the most vital experience of adolescence. Its all about selecting the correct circle of friends to be with. When we band with peers that support and pressure to do the right thing, we grow up well. If these friends are God fearing and pure hearted, they influence us to grow up to fear and worship God.
The days of youth was also the time which I experienced God and the passion of pursuing and worshipping Him. Suddenly, the bible stories learned as a child could be seen in a a different spiritual dimension and prayer was no longer dead silence. My life no longer became centered on myself and suddenly I perceived the corruptness of my own life through every little life's failure of adolescence.
In church, as I looked up to the fellow youths who were budding musicians and committee members. I was inspired by their talents and gifts and the rich experiences which they had with God. So inspired and envious that I even tried out some instruments to realise that I couldn't play either to save my life. Thank God that I saw the lack of talent in my life and an opportunity arose for me to help to look after young children. Eventually God used my talents differently and called me to teach. I would have been the worst musician ever. today, as I look back, I am greatful to have a bunch of Godly church friends who inspired me to pursue God and be found in the house of God and not like my other secular friends who encourage me to have fun in the secular things of life, albeit clubbing, drinking or spending my weekends outside the church.
David proclaimed, "Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds." (Psalms 71:17) . May the Lord guide and teach you like David in your youth, bind you together with passionate Godly youths that would help you grow up well into adulthood - complete and in the grace of God - ready to declare God's blessings and name.
Blessings,
M.
"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth." (Psalms 71:5)
25 August 2006
Youth
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
I love the exuberance of Youth. The energies felt as I was growing up. I recall the many long hours spent burnt under the sun training for volleyball, enjoying the pleasure of physical and mental training as we played match after match, despite the fact that the sun had gone down and I had bruised myself silly since afternoon.
I love the carefree days of my youth. The world was my oyster as I laughed and played with unlimited energy and engaged friends with arrogance and a care-free attitude. Apart from the major exams which caused me some stress, there was no real stress and responsibilities that bound me and constrained me. As I entered secondary 3 (15 year old) , the world was a big, exciting treasure chest. I acquired independence, was maturing, gaining self-confidence, and intellectually more confident.
But I also recall the ugly moments where the energies of youth were translated into aggression, violence and uncooth behaviour that caused tempers to flare, hurts and destruction. These were not proud moments of my life which I would like to relive but sadly, something that would continue to haunt me.
Paul warns his young ward, Timothy to "flee the evil desires of youth" simply because he too recognises the passions and energies associated with youth. Scientifically we know that the onset of youth, puberty, is when individual experiences physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. During which the body begins to produce the hormones necessary for pubertal development and the world of a youth seems to go upside down.
Adolescence is a period of great change and growth. Its a challenging phase because there are different expectations and encounters with the surrounding, and wide range of possible reactions and responses to growing up. Its also a time where sexual and material awakening occurs. Only in my days of youth did I suddenly desire to have branded clothes, nice shoes, stuff my peers had and I thought was essential for being normal.
In God's creation eyes, he fully understands all this issues of youth. Often I wonder how Jesus lived in his teenage years and wished the bible documented his life as he was a youth. That would be a great encouragement to many who go through this seemingly aweful phase of life. But it really doesn't matter as there are enough examples of how we are to live and cope with youth.
It's all about pursuing God and allowing him to teach us and mould us. Added to that, Paul says it is important to band together with other Godly youths and do things that are in righteousness, faith, love and peace. Peer pressure and support is one of the most vital experience of adolescence. Its all about selecting the correct circle of friends to be with. When we band with peers that support and pressure to do the right thing, we grow up well. If these friends are God fearing and pure hearted, they influence us to grow up to fear and worship God.
The days of youth was also the time which I experienced God and the passion of pursuing and worshipping Him. Suddenly, the bible stories learned as a child could be seen in a a different spiritual dimension and prayer was no longer dead silence. My life no longer became centered on myself and suddenly I perceived the corruptness of my own life through every little life's failure of adolescence.
In church, as I looked up to the fellow youths who were budding musicians and committee members. I was inspired by their talents and gifts and the rich experiences which they had with God. So inspired and envious that I even tried out some instruments to realise that I couldn't play either to save my life. Thank God that I saw the lack of talent in my life and an opportunity arose for me to help to look after young children. Eventually God used my talents differently and called me to teach. I would have been the worst musician ever. today, as I look back, I am greatful to have a bunch of Godly church friends who inspired me to pursue God and be found in the house of God and not like my other secular friends who encourage me to have fun in the secular things of life, albeit clubbing, drinking or spending my weekends outside the church.
David proclaimed, "Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds." (Psalms 71:17) . May the Lord guide and teach you like David in your youth, bind you together with passionate Godly youths that would help you grow up well into adulthood - complete and in the grace of God - ready to declare God's blessings and name.
Blessings,
M.
"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth." (Psalms 71:5)
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
I love the exuberance of Youth. The energies felt as I was growing up. I recall the many long hours spent burnt under the sun training for volleyball, enjoying the pleasure of physical and mental training as we played match after match, despite the fact that the sun had gone down and I had bruised myself silly since afternoon.
I love the carefree days of my youth. The world was my oyster as I laughed and played with unlimited energy and engaged friends with arrogance and a care-free attitude. Apart from the major exams which caused me some stress, there was no real stress and responsibilities that bound me and constrained me. As I entered secondary 3 (15 year old) , the world was a big, exciting treasure chest. I acquired independence, was maturing, gaining self-confidence, and intellectually more confident.
But I also recall the ugly moments where the energies of youth were translated into aggression, violence and uncooth behaviour that caused tempers to flare, hurts and destruction. These were not proud moments of my life which I would like to relive but sadly, something that would continue to haunt me.
Paul warns his young ward, Timothy to "flee the evil desires of youth" simply because he too recognises the passions and energies associated with youth. Scientifically we know that the onset of youth, puberty, is when individual experiences physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. During which the body begins to produce the hormones necessary for pubertal development and the world of a youth seems to go upside down.
Adolescence is a period of great change and growth. Its a challenging phase because there are different expectations and encounters with the surrounding, and wide range of possible reactions and responses to growing up. Its also a time where sexual and material awakening occurs. Only in my days of youth did I suddenly desire to have branded clothes, nice shoes, stuff my peers had and I thought was essential for being normal.
In God's creation eyes, he fully understands all this issues of youth. Often I wonder how Jesus lived in his teenage years and wished the bible documented his life as he was a youth. That would be a great encouragement to many who go through this seemingly aweful phase of life. But it really doesn't matter as there are enough examples of how we are to live and cope with youth.
It's all about pursuing God and allowing him to teach us and mould us. Added to that, Paul says it is important to band together with other Godly youths and do things that are in righteousness, faith, love and peace. Peer pressure and support is one of the most vital experience of adolescence. Its all about selecting the correct circle of friends to be with. When we band with peers that support and pressure to do the right thing, we grow up well. If these friends are God fearing and pure hearted, they influence us to grow up to fear and worship God.
The days of youth was also the time which I experienced God and the passion of pursuing and worshipping Him. Suddenly, the bible stories learned as a child could be seen in a a different spiritual dimension and prayer was no longer dead silence. My life no longer became centered on myself and suddenly I perceived the corruptness of my own life through every little life's failure of adolescence.
In church, as I looked up to the fellow youths who were budding musicians and committee members. I was inspired by their talents and gifts and the rich experiences which they had with God. So inspired and envious that I even tried out some instruments to realise that I couldn't play either to save my life. Thank God that I saw the lack of talent in my life and an opportunity arose for me to help to look after young children. Eventually God used my talents differently and called me to teach. I would have been the worst musician ever. today, as I look back, I am greatful to have a bunch of Godly church friends who inspired me to pursue God and be found in the house of God and not like my other secular friends who encourage me to have fun in the secular things of life, albeit clubbing, drinking or spending my weekends outside the church.
David proclaimed, "Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds." (Psalms 71:17) . May the Lord guide and teach you like David in your youth, bind you together with passionate Godly youths that would help you grow up well into adulthood - complete and in the grace of God - ready to declare God's blessings and name.
Blessings,
M.
"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth." (Psalms 71:5)
