1 Timothy 4:12
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
I have a very close family. In my generation, I am the only girl surrounded by five males: one brother and four boy cousins. To top it off, I’m the youngest of all of them by three years. Needless to say, I have been underestimated my entire life, and to this day, after graduating early with a college degree and working a full-time job, no one takes me seriously.
However, I don’t let their perspective hold me back. I’ve accepted that I will always be the baby of the family and will have to prove myself to be an intelligent young woman over and over again. It’s hard being the baby, and frankly, it’s just hard being young. I wish more adults and people in positions of authority recognized that. Complaints aside, there is something special about being young—a kid, a teen, what have you.
Though he was also young at the time, Paul the Apostle entrusted Saint Timothy with many responsibilities. Timothy, as young as he was is viewed as a Saint in the Catholic church. That says a lot. In fact, Paul’s first letter to Timothy was designed to teach him how to build and lead his own church despite his young age. His lack of knowledge and experience was hardly a roadblock. The youthful evangelist later became the bishop of Ephesus due to his dedication to Christ and his faithfulness to the Church. He took Paul’s words to heart and set an example to the people in his speech, his conduct, his love, his faith, and his purity.
When you really think about it, as a teen, are you more likely to be influenced by a youthful young adult or by an older, grey-haired curmudgeon? This isn’t to say an older individual is less influential, that their knowledge matters less, or that their wisdom doesn’t matter. We have plenty to learn from those with vast life experiences! But, when we’re young, it’s easier to relate to someone similar in age. So like Saint Timothy, you have an advantage with your friends and peers to influence their faith.
Spreading the Gospel doesn’t always mean knocking on your friend’s doors and asking if they know Jesus. Sometimes, spreading the Gospel can be as simple as following Paul’s instructions to Timothy: “set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” Your words and actions reflect not only you as a person, but your faith as well. Being a kind, loving person and modeling your life after Christ will attract your friends and family to your faith. They’ll begin to ask questions, giving the opportunity for you to share the Good News with them.
Taking what you’ve learned during this Lent Season, find new ways to share your faith in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, like Timothy did. Use your youth and knowledge of technology to an advantage! Share one positive piece of news, an encouraging idea, or a kind thought on your social media today.