Understanding the Concept YOUTH/YOUTHFUL AGE
Youth is the quality or state of being young; therefore, youthful age means the period of existence preceding agedness, a time when you can fend for yourself, make/take decisions and of course bear the consequence(s).
What Is The Significance Of Youthful Age To Human and God?
The youthful age is a time to Overcome- 1Jn 2:13b. As a child, sibling, colleague, friend etc, there are certain expectations from our fellow human from us; these expectations can be summed into what we call ‘Responsibility’ i.e. your response ability to issues. In our Youthful age, we are responsible for/to a whole lot- financial, social, relationship and spiritual obligation. Likewise in the workplace, your skill, knowledge base and agility are needed now that you are young.
Beside humans, God also have an expectation of us. He expects us to be zealous and passionate for Him- bring souls to Him and bruise the heel of the devil. We are to sow our youthful age to God, because it is a time when we are prone to the wiles or attack of the devil. Our service to God is more required now; because when old age sets in, there will be limits to our service. As zealous as Joshua was, he didn’t conquer all the lands (Josh 13:1); what if he had been idle in his youth? He would have achieved nothing.
At the death of Joshua, there was no youth worthy to fit in his stead perfectly like he did for Moses. And I ask myself, where were the youth? What is wrong with us? If we aren’t responsible now, when will we?
IMPORT FROM THE STONE AGE FOR THE PRESENT
I noticed that in the time past, when civilization hasn’t set in, the operatives of the youth then differs from ours now, and I think we can take a cue from theirs. Below are diverse dimensions with which we can compare, contrast and imbibe values from ancient youth for our present day.
EDUCATION- When you equate a standard six of then to its current equivalent, I am certain you won’t get the same output or value. Our educational system now is in a mess, educational decadence has become the order of the day. Admission before this time comes with ease based on merit, but today; if one isn’t soliciting for admission in cash, it will be in kind. On the student’s part, for the old era, I think their core interest is academics before any other attraction, but today the reverse is the case; an average teenager engages in extracurricular activities as against their primary aim- education.
It is high time, we instill the right educational precepts in our wards and we shouldn’t take up corrupt educational measures (like paying for results) on their behalf, otherwise they will do worse-off. Education still remains the best legacy, so give it your best shot.
BUSINESS/CAREER- Have you ever wondered why big degrees and qualification don’t translate to success in business or survival? In the time past, a single skill is enough to cater for the family. It took me years and a jobless state to acquire a skill that would have been bequeathed to me on a platter of gold. More than ever before; especially with the current economic state, we need to create a niche for ourselves. I think at this point, I must give credit to the young ones who are doing well in their field and even breaking new grounds, I can’t deny that in this capacity we’ve done well than our parents, but we can be better. Let’s acquire useful skills, save, invest and go the extra mile.
MARRIAGE/RELATIONSHIP- This is a major target of the devil, once one misses it in marriage, a whole lot will go wrong. Maybe we should ask ourselves why divorce rate is high amongst young couples or newly-wed now, contrary to the ‘for better for worse’ marital life that was obtainable in the past, the loyalty of our parents to their partners then is next to none. Even with chastity and morality, I weep in my heart when I see acts of immorality being perpetrated as if they are normalities. I once heard a story about suitors or potential partners; that as a lady once you sight your suitor you have to take cover as you can’t afford to be seen anyhow so that your value won’t diminish (lol), and the man too dare not ‘know’ you before time or visit your place alone. But today, we’ve known ourselves inside-out, infact how many of us would want to be chaperoned in relationship? We sure cant remain in the medieval age, but then we can imbibe some good old values, let us maintain a firm grip like Joseph, don’t lose grip on your conscience to overcome craze for sex- battle immorality!
SPIRITUALITY: Why do we err much in this era of spiritual sensitivity? Why is wickedness, theft, murder, rape, corruption etc a daily occurrence now that we serve God more, unlike times when people don’t even care about godliness?
In our Christian history, we’ve heard about different waves of revival championed by some great men of God, we’ve heard of Benson Idahosa, Abiara, Ayo Babalola, Akindayomi, and still in this generation we have several others even in the western world, who have actually given their best and they will become our own cloud of witnesses. However, who will step into their shoes when they are gone? Who will disciple like Bro Gbile, who will anchor holiness like Baba Kumuyi, who will champion faith like Bishop Oyedepo, who will pray like Dr. Olukoya and who will clamour Halleluyah like Baba Adeboye? Let’s come back to our first love- Jesus! We must seek to please Him daily and wholly, we’ve got enablement which we must put to use.
Conclusion
Let us extract values from the past, merge it with the values that are presently obtainable and then put them to action for better result.
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