The Power of Youth

Their is a great explosive potential in young people. Like dynamite this potential can do great good when it is used productively. It can build whole empires where founded by people under the age of 18. Youth by its very nature has the power to pave the way for new inventions, ideas, and resources that will benefit mankind. In the wrong hands, the power of youth has the capability to take life, or even thousands of lives.

Adolph Hitler new the very real power of youth to transform a culture. In 1932 when he came into power, one of the very first things he did was to ban all youth organizations, especially religious ones. In the place of these he formed what was known as the "Hitler Youth" and "German League of Young Girls." These organizations trained young people to honor and revere Hitler and to serve him without question. Young people, some of which were younger than many of you reading this, made a decision that it would be an honor to lay their lives down for their country, and their Fuhrer. How did one man convince so many young people to do such horrific things?

The reason is because in every young person there are worlds to conquer, battles to win, deeds to be done. Young people haven't become as jaded as many of us adults to the disappointments of life. Because the youth haven't yet accepted what cannot be done. Young people, It is my heart that you learn not what cannot be done, but what can be done. When you live a life unrestricted by an inability to do something, you acquire the ability to achieve great things.

The boundless energy of youth, which literally means vigor, allows you the ability to work tirelessly at that which you are passionate about. Follow you passions, make this a life work. Many of us who are older than you often feel that we need to rest. Not all of us, but some. I will promise to make you chase me! But if and when you finally catch me, I will cheer you as you blaze like a lit fuze nearing detonation.

I have been a minister to youth now for approximately 14 years, and one of the things I love the most about you, is how you approach a great deal of things with a clean slate. You don't harbor prejudices of past generations, and this gives you the ability to see life through an clear lens. Racist bigotry, is something that fades in your wonderful generation. I revel in to potential of your lives.

With all of these things, I want to encourage you. Young people, listen to an older man who wants to see you racing past. The one thing missing from your greatness is experience. For this you will need to look to us, the older generation. Though I know it may be difficult to trust that we will not try to control you, I vow to empower you! I vow to impart any and all wisdom to you so that you can resist the call of temptation that I have faced. May you walk on my road free of burden.

Encouragement to older Christians: We need the zeal and dynamism of youth in the body of Christ. We need their energy. Try to refrain from telling this generation, "We've tried it before, and well it didn't work!" "Let no one despise your youth..." (1 Tim. 4:12) We cannot be afraid of the mistakes. We need to help them up if and when they make mistakes, earnestly seeking to find their hidden greatness!

Encouragement to young Christians: (1 Peter 5: 1-2) Remember those who are older, and perhaps a bit wiser. These powerful people have been through life, and a bit of hell so that you would walk freely. Those who are older than you really do love you. It is O.K. if they know more than you. A pattern of my life, until the day I die will be to always have someone older, wiser, more experienced looking into my life to steer me from pitfalls, and steer me toward my destiny. Seek wisdom, weigh the warnings. "The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness" (Prov. 16: 31)

The world watches the movement of the youth. What examples will you set? Will you love? Will you lead in faith? Will you lead in purity? Will you live a life of honor? Will the world be led into a life of miracles because of you? (1 Tim 4: 12) Nothing will cause a world to lose respect for you faster than living you life as less than a child of God.