“I’m too young!”

How old do you have to be to live a disciple life?

How old do you have to be to be a servant of God?

How old do you have to be to live a victorious life?

How old do you have to be before you can do God’s will?

It’s easy to say “I’m too young” to do this or that. To feel like you couldn’t possibly take on that kind of responsibility. Too young to really understand. Too young to make a difference. Too young to be useful. Too young to serve God. It can seem daunting, overwhelming, and impossible. Or maybe you just feel like you aren’t ready to take it on yet.

The story of Jeremiah

There’s actually a story in the Bible about a young man who felt just like that. Jeremiah was really young when God came to him and told him that he was meant to be a prophet to Israel. (Some accounts say he was just 17!) He probably thought, “There’s gotta be someone else who would be better a choice to do this. There’s no way anyone will listen to me. I can’t be responsible for this.” Of course, this is all speculation, but just imagine what would go through your head in that situation.

So Jeremiah said to God, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” Jeremiah 1:6.

What was Jeremiah seeing? He was seeing what he knew about himself. What he would be capable of as Jeremiah, an average young person. But what he should have been seeing, and what God showed him, was what was possible, and what he could accomplish, when God was with him. For the job God was giving him, there was no lower age limit. All that he needed to do was be obedient to God and God would do the rest, through him.

“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:7-8.

The story of Jeremiah is an excellent example for a young person today!

You’re never too young!

So never feel like you are too young! What is it that God is actually asking of you?

“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23.

That is no more and no less than this: that you give up your own will in order to do what you know to be right in this moment right now. The younger you are when you start on this way, the better for you! You can become established in Christ from a young age, and you can grow up in God. You can be preserved from the evil in the world, you can be saved from the sin in your flesh, and your life will be good and pure and free!

You can for sure feel like it’s not possible for you. You know yourself well, and you feel that you yourself are just not capable. But God will be with you, just like He was with Jeremiah! Any heart that wants to serve Him is a heart that He will strengthen and help, so that it will always succeed for you!

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and from throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9.

Read more here: What does it mean to take up your cross daily?

Be an example

And don’t let anyone else tell you you’re too young either! When Timothy was quite young Paul considered him to be his most trusted co-worker, and gave him a lot of responsibility in the church. There were probably some who were older than Timothy who thought that this was the wrong decision, but Paul said to him: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”1 Timothy 4:12.

You’re not too young to be an example. You’re not too young to get victory over sin. You’re not too young to take responsibility for your life and make the right choices. You’re not too young to look to the future and make the choices that will secure a good and blessed future for yourself. You’re not too young to be accountable for your life. You can start today to do what you know is right, and you never have to stop!

Choose today to do the good! Choose today to answer your calling and give up your own will so you can do God’s will on earth! Choose today to overcome when you are tempted! Choose today to live for God instead of for yourself!

Learn from the story of Jeremiah, and from Timothy’s example. Actually, a young person is uniquely suited to action. You’ve got energy, you’ve got enthusiasm, you’ve got passion. You know how much time and energy you give to the things you really care about? That’s the kind of energy and enthusiasm you can focus on giving everything to serving God, to doing His will, to overcoming the temptations of your young life.