Ecclesiastes 12:1 "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them"
On 17 December 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. The theme of the 2016 International Youth Day is “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production”. This year’s Day is about achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It focuses on the leading role of young people in ensuring poverty eradication and achieving sustainable development through sustainable consumption and production. Sustainable consumption entails the use of products and services that meet the basic needs of communities while safeguarding the needs of future generations. The development and promotion of individual choices and actions that increase the eco-efficiency of consumption of all and minimize waste and pollution is critical to achieving equitable socioeconomic development. See more on this year's International Youth Day.
Solomon advised, “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth...”. God is concerned about the spiritual welfare of youth and so should everyone be, young and old. It is in the interest of and genuine concern for their welfare that this lesson is presented. Our lesson is primarily directed toward those who are in the days of their youth and addressed to them.
There are few facts we first must identify
First, young people are incorporated among those for whom God has concern.
Second, there are many complications youth must face in this world.
Third, they will not be youth forever.
Fourth, today’s youth is not the first to encounter problems. Fifth, youth is neither lesser nor superior to adulthood. They do not have the similar accountabilities, opportunities nor capabilities.
Sixth, there are some issues which youths cannot yet tackle because they are not in the place to tackle them. There are issues of leadership, management, control and obligation that are related to adults that do not yet be relevant to youths. Even though youths may be affected by many things over which they have no control, this is life. Such is true even in adulthood.
Seventh, there are many problems about which there is much that youths themselves can do.
ISSUES OF READYING
Youth face the issue of readying. Many adults ignore this fact and look at adulthood as pompous. Youth is a phase for readying for future life. In reality, all of life is a time for getting ready for life after death. So many leave the years of youth and enter adulthood unprepared. They must become prepared socially, mentally, physically, and most important of all, spiritually. It is awful that weight in placed on lesser reparations to disregard Spirit. Our advice to the young is, “Don’t blow your chances.” Jesus prepared Himself before He began.
ISSUE OF RUSHING
Youth, if closely noticed, could be found rushing all the time all over. It may not sometimes be polite to even discuss this, but it is something young people must ascertain. Youths always desire to be older than what they actually are. It is slightly similar to adults, who desire to be younger than what they are. Youths are exasperated to “grow up.” Grass is always greener on the other side. This is not true btw. Each phase of life has its blessings. Many parents and other adults are guilty of forcing the young into maturity before they are ready for it. Today’s world encourage early dating, clothing that is immodest, adult activities and privileges, structured and controlled activities to the extent the child does not have time nor chances to ever be a child. Failing to get from life what God has envisioned in youth will make adulthood less delightful.
Youths are somewhat like green apples. If they are not allowed to ripen they will only be hard and bitter. Evolution is always time-taking and painstaking. Jesus acted on specific time, didn’t start His ministry until time/hour arrived.
ISSUE OF PEER-PRESSURISING
Every youths need to encounter the challenge called peer pressure. There is always a remarkable burden to do what those around you are doing, this could even be sinful activity. This is a difficult thing for Christians all the days of their life. Youths need to learn to be themselves, who God has made them to be and not replica of others. Youths must learn to think critically for themselves rather than carelessly following the way of the crowd. Because this is lifelong issue, young people need to learn to survive it as early as possible.
You are most privileged if you have someone who loves you and loves the Lord to train you in His ways. Let God be your controller. Permitting the crowd to set your standards is fatal to your soul. Jesus was also in this world but not of this world. He was able to live out of sin. He made crown follow Him and not vice versa.
Today’s youth with today’s problem of sin. It comes through drugs, alcoholic beverages (Punjab is number one drug problem), temptations to immorality, dishonesty, lack of respect for authority and forsaking God. Many have testified that they got into addictions just staring as fun or being pressurized by friends. Face today, and tomorrow you will be able to face tomorrow. Unless you learn to tackle today, what will be the end of you tomorrow? “How shall the young protect their hearts, and guard their lives from sin?” It is by following the Word of God. Youths need not despair nor be discouraged after knowing the challenges and pressures of youth-life. Life in Christ is a magnificent life, full of purpose and meaning, blessings and benefits, with each day being valuable and fruitful.
So your challenges today, if you wish, can become a stepping stones rather than stumbling-blocks. Remember Your Creator and what He says!!!!
1 Timothy 4:12
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.
Deuteronomy 31:6
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Happy International Youth Day!!!
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