Remember when we were young

For many of us we have fond memories of our Youth. Sure there would have been some tough times, but on the whole, being young was great. As we reflect on the importance and significance of Youth Day in South Africa I wrestle with finding the right 'ingredients' to pass onto my own children and the youth in our community. We have no idea what the future holds for any of us, but the world seems to be getting more and more complicated with each passing year. 

I came across these words from Franklin Roosevelt, which I feel are a helpful starting point:

"We cannot always build the future for our youth,
but we can build our youth for the future."

I love this. I reminds me that we can instill values and principles in our children that will prepare them for the future, no matter what it looks like. As Christians this obviously means we need to teach them the ways of Jesus and trust that they find their direction, hope and strength from God.

If you have a moment read through Ecclesiastes 12 to see what the teacher said about being young. 

What do you think?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Enjoy God

The final chapter of Ecclesiastes will help us to complete the circle of Solomon's rantings and advice given to the younger generation (and also to those of us older folk willing to listen) . He urges the youth to remember and honour God, even when they are young. Often people live their lives without any thought of God and then only turn to him later on in life - almost as a last resort. Solomon is impressing upon us all NOT to fall into that trap.

"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—
2 before the sun and the light
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain;" - Ecclesiastes 12:1-2 (NIV)

I love the way that The Message invites us to also 'enjoy' the Lord, as well as honour him. Many Christians understand the need to honour God and maybe even to fear him, but how often do we hear sermons where we are called to ENJOY the grace of God?

"Honour and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young,
Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes,
Before your vision dims and the world blurs
And the winter years keep you close to the fire." - Eugene Peterson 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Refuse to worry

"So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless." - Ecclesiastes 11:10

Here he goes again! Solomon comes to the staggering conclusion that even 'youth' is meaningless. I really feel sorry for him sometimes - it seems as if his depression was moving him deeper and deeper into a dark corner. 

When we read this last statement in the words of Eugene Peterson, it does make a lot more sense. The Message paraphrase states:

"You won’t be young forever.
Youth lasts about as long as smoke."

This now makes a lot more sense to me. All of us can remember our younger days as if they were just yesterday and we wonder where have the years gone. Solomon's message is very important for us to hold onto - life is short, so we should try not to WORRY and also to keep ourselves as HEALTHY as possible.

Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:27

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ...

What do you think?

Is it possible to quit worrying?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Succession

Making any plans for succession can be tricky. This can apply in all spheres of industry, business, church or family. As Solomon comes to the end of his reign he muses over what will become of his legacy and those who will succeed him.

"It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice. Such a youth could rise from poverty and succeed. He might even become king, though he has been in prison. But then everyone rushes to the side of yet another youth who replaces him. Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind." - Ecclesiastes 4:13-16

Remember that Solomon uses a technique of comparisons in his reflections. He suggests that if you had two people standing alongside one another - a poor youth and an old king - the younger person is better off because he still has time to learn and become a better person. Even young people who start off with many disadvantages have more hope than an older person who doesn't want to change.

However, the reign of the young person will also come to an end at some point. People will then rush to the new 'flavour of the month' and forget the first youngster. This is confusing and meaningless to Solomon, because we so often chase after fame and recognition believing it will answer all our desires. He says IT WON'T!

It serves as a humbling reminder that our personal legacy will never outlive the lasting legacy of Jesus. 

"Humble beginnings can make the best teachers!" 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Leaving an imprint - Dr. Neil Oosthuizen

I have just returned from sharing in the Sessions on the Youth Pastors Gathering in the Eastern Free State. It was a wonderful time of connecting with young leaders from around South Africa, who are passionate about sharing Jesus in their communities.

What was significant for me was that it marked 20 years since I went along on my first Youth Pastors gathering. That year we were lead by the inspiring Rev. Dr. Neil Oosthuizen, who tragically died 3 weeks ago. In fact, Neil was asked to lead the sessions at this years gathering, but he died before he was able to share with us.

I remember that gathering in 1995 as if it were yesterday. I was a young man entering into the world of ministry. I was overwhelmed by many changes in my life, wrestling with God's calling and trying to find my feet in other areas of life. Neil provided solid teaching and incredible GRACE in pouring out his heart to us. He gave us hope for the Church and for sharing Jesus with the next generation. It was through his love and care that many of us continued in our ministries.

As I tried to emulate Neil's heart this last week, I was taken aback at the huge responsibility we all have. We are like runners in a relay race - we are given the baton and asked to run our leg of the race, but we also need to pass on the baton to someone else soon. I count it a privilege to have shared the baton with Neil (and now with my colleague Rev. Andrew Evans), as we seek to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Neil, we want you to know, that your labour was not in vain and we will do all we can to hold the torch for the next wave of pastors and leaders. May we be as faithful as you were. May we serve Christ as passionately as you served him.

Psalm 127:1 - "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."

1 Corinthians 15:58 - "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Remember being Young?

As we celebrate Youth Day (16 June) in South Africa it is nostalgic thinking back to your childhood. I have many fond memories of growing up in South Africa, but I recognise that not everyone has good memories of their youth. What are some of your childhood memories?

Please share a memory today - what do you remember about your Youth?

I remember the freedom of being able to play until dusk, in the forest near our home. We would fish in the dam, build forts, shoot katties (slingshots) and come home for supper - safe and sound!
Going to the "Drive-In" for the first time.
Riding my BMX everywhere!
Walking down Church street on a Friday evening with the Youth group.
Hiring a Video Machine and a video for the evening.
And many, many more.


Proverbs 20:29 - "The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old."

"Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age." -Victor Hugo

Of course we need to pause today and remember all the children who have had their lives cut short by war, violence, abuse and neglect. Even though our world claims to be the most progressive and civilised generation EVER, we still have to deal with child-trafficking, child soldiers, child prostitution, child headed households and the abuse of our children.

What happened in Soweto on the 16th June 1976, should have been a lesson to us as a generation, but sadly we continue to repeat our mistakes over and over again. Every child has the right to be protected, respected and educated. As adults we need to do all we can to honour our young.


Living in Grace
D3LM3

Interesting thoughts - a follow on...

Firstly, let me thank all of you who responded so enthusiastically to my question: "What do our young people need today?" I was overwhelmed by your thoughts. I guess as a middle aged guy now, I needed your insights to help me clarify my own. As Victor Hugo once said:

"Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age. "

So, I guess I am at the old age of youth now...

Anyway, my thoughts on what young people need are similar to many of your comments:

Guidance, Role-models, Listening ear, Genuine relationships, Hope, Stability, Love and Jesus.

In fact, if we give them Jesus Christ, the other things come with the "package!" Christ offers us all these things and more. In the end, this applies to all people too, not just the youth. If we offer people Jesus and not Religion, will give them the greatest gift of all.

Thanks for listening...

Living in Grace
D3LM3