1 Timothy 4:12
"Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."
Look who is looking at you.
As Christians, who are known to be Christians, not those that hide away their Christianity, we must be aware of who is looking at us. They are often looking for inclusion. Timothy talks of the young, how they are vibrant in faith and must not let others, particularly older Christians or people, look down on them because of their youth. It matters not that they are young, in fact the young Christian youth is a pleasure to be with. Their desire to know God often puts us older Christians to shame. Their inclusion offers enthusiasm, openness, vitality, generosity and exuberance for their Christian life. This reminds me of those people who have been converted and saved from the worldly path.
When someone rejects their old life and takes on a new one there are bound to be lots of people looking at them, watching. These wonderful converts to God's Love are young in faith, and full of the first joy of their first Love. This passage of Timothy is also for them, the young in faith.
Being a nurtured Christian from birth I almost envy the powerful conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus. He really knew the meaning of forgiveness. He understood the sacrifice of the Cross.
Look who is looking at you.
So often old Christians are stale Christians and need that moment of conversion too. Why? To fully understand the Love of God and to be confident to be a Christian and not just any old Christian, but an imitator of Christ's Love. When we are looked at by our fellow companions do they know we are Christians? Do they see the difference?
Young faith whether it is by age of the person, or age of Christian experience, needs to be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." If we are mature Christians we need to celebrate and enjoy the thrilling new Love that has been bestowed upon those of young faith, to include and embrace them as our equals. We can only do this if we are confident in the Love of God, ready to share our faith, happy to be Christians, and show exuberance for our Saviour.
We must never become complacent in God and matters of the soul. We are on a journey and that means a continual movement forwards, embracing those who we meet both young and old and loving everyone who is searching for a closer and deeper union with God the Father. So often the young Christian or young of faith can reignite our lamps and we need to be grateful to them for this gift. We must hunger for God so that those who look at us will wonder what it is that we are hungering for.
If we strive to be good examples of Christ's Love seeking the Heavenly banquet to feast on, others will look at us and want to come to the celebration.
