A Young Faith

I was talking to a friend the other day about life in general and a unique twist on the Bible came up. I talk with folks all the time who, if hard pressed, would consider Christianity, or the Bible, or really the Story of Faith, to be something that is geared for an older audience. I also hear from younger folks that when they get older, get married, start having babies, grow up a bit, that then they’ll return to Church and their faith. Now, I’m obviously partisan on this as I’ve been in the Church since I could gum a piece of Melba Toast, but there’s something about this argument/line of thinking that seems to run kind of shallow to me.
I had someone tell me once that the Bible, other than Jesus, is the story of how God uses old men to do what needs to be done. Usually, Moses or Abraham are the Old Testament examples, while “grumpy, ultra-conservative” Paul is the New Testament equivalent. That got me to thinking, is the Bible for older generations? Does God favor older people to get His work done?
That lead me to think through the story of Scripture and quickly all my childhood VBS lessons started roaring back at me. God for sure used men like Moses and Abraham, patriarchs who were “up there in years” by the time they received their calling, but God also thought way outside that box. God routinely chose people who were “not-suitable” for the job that needed the attention, and a lot of those “not-suitables” were actually kids when they received the call (or at least living within the Young Adult/Youth purview).

+ Noah was old, but it was his sons who also got on the boat with their young wives. They were the ones responsible for repopulating after the flood.
+ Abraham was old when he was called, but Jacob was an unmarried nothing when he saw the ladder filled with angels and committed his life to God.
+ Joseph was a kid when sold to slavery and a young adult when he was asked to lead Egypt through a famine.
+ Joshua was under 40 when Moses called him to be his right-hand.
+ Gideon was the youngest, unmarried male of his family, when God called him to take 350 folks and destroy an army.
+ Samson, though a huge muscled up goof, was a young judge.
+ Samuel was around 12 when he first heard God’s voice.
+ David was so young that he was forgotten by his own dad when Samuel came to anoint a new king. He wasn’t much older when he killed the giant and served King Saul as musician. He was a young man when Israel sang his praises about being such a great warrior and general.
+ Many of the OT Prophets received their call at young ages.
+ Several of the Disciples were teens when Jesus called them – the sons of Alphaeus were learning the family business and tending nets when Jesus called them.
+ John, if we follow tradition, lived into the 90’s which would have been 60 years or so past Jesus’ earthly ministry.
+ Paul may be seen as grumpy and ultra-conservative, but he was a fresh seminary grad when he went on the hunting party to kill and arrest Christians.
I mention this little Young Adult Hall of Fame for one little reason – the Bible isn’t about God using Old People nor is the faith something that older believers have total claim to. Equally, this list doesn’t prove that Younger generations are God’s chosen to be difference makers in the world. For every Young Adult or Youth God chose to lead, there are an equal amount of older adults that God anointed. The point of all this is that this life of faith is open for all ages and all levels of life experience. The requirements for being used was not whether you had your AARP card or not, but wether your willing to be used and equipped for the act that faces us?
My friend that I mentioned at the start of this blog reminded me of that this week. It’s easy to think that you need to reach a certain age before your official or worthy of use, but that would be a huge mistake. God calls us all regardless of age to be a part of his Church – young and old alike have their callings. To refuse it, or to not embrace such a call is to let down brothers and sisters who need the uniqeness of You and Me. My friend challenged me to walk in the confidence of God’s call on my life not on how old I am and what experiences I may or may not have.
I don’t know where you are today, maybe you’re a younger person trying to figure out if this faith thing is for you or not, or maybe you’re a part of an older generation and you’re wondering if you can be used anymore – either case, our faith needs us! Our God needs us to take him at his Word and step into the ministry He’s asking of us. I hope you’ll not look at age, or a million other descriptors the rest of this week, and instead, you’ll look at the God who calls us all and prepares us all for such a time as this!

Grace and Peace!