PURSUIT OF PURPOSE IN YOUTH

“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

Blessed is he or she who engages in the PURSUIT of PURPOSE IN YOUTH: “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” (1Tim.4:12). These were Paul’s admonition to Timothy, his son in the faith. If there is a time for youth to passionately pursue Purpose, it is these “latter times” when people are departing from the faith (vv.1-2). The years of youth are extremely critical years, and God often uses the experiences of these early days to shape our lives. There are notable models of godly Youth in the Bible, “who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb. 6:12).

Jesus as a twelve-year old pursued Purpose as He demonstrated diligence, inquisitiveness, and the wisdom of association: “Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions” (Lk.2:46). Proverbs 13:20a says,“he who walks with wise men will be wise...” Youth with purpose know why they are here, what they are sent to accomplish, and learn to associate early with the right helpers of destiny. They know that “as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Pro.27:17).

Joseph began to pursue Purpose as a teenager. He was Jacob’s favourite son, to whom the father gave a coat of many colours (Gen.3:3). God also gifted him with purpose-laden dreams for which his brothers hated him (Gen.37:4-11). They sold him into slavery and he became a servant to Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh (Gen.37:36). God’s purpose entrenched in Joseph’s heart coupled with the holy fear of God gave him dominion over strong seduction from his master’s wife (Gen.39:7-13). Though falsely accused and thrown into prison, his purpose was not imprisoned; his vision was sharpened by adversity. He held on tenaciously to the purpose of preserving a posterity for Jacob’s family, until it manifested (Gen.45:3-8).

Young David was directed by faith and a strong sense of purpose, as God prepared him for leadership in latter years. Unlike King Saul, David was not thrust abrupty into leadership, but went through a lengthy period of preparation and character moulding. Though anointed by Samuel the prophet in the midst of his brethren (1Sam.16:13), David submitted to practical preparation and combat training, where he learnt to exercise dominion over adversaries, typified by lions, bears, and ultimately, Goliath. He was trained as a Warrior-Shepherd to defend his flock from deadly beasts for the ultimate Purpose of becoming the Warrior-King that’ll lead Israel’s armies into victory-upon-victory and the Zenith of Kingship in Israel!

Daniel was a Model of Purpose in Babylon: “But DANIEL PURPOSED in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Dan.1:8). He exhibited holy determination for distinction, devoid of distractions. This influenced his mates – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and their passion for purpose never waned, even in the fiery furnace (Dan.3:17-26).

Purpose in youth is not gendered! There was a young maid who while serving Naaman’s wife, testified to Elisha’s ministry, and counselled her to intimate her leprous husband with the same (2 Kings 5:1-4). What a model of effective witnessing! This seemingly insignificant gesture led to the mighty deliverance of the Syrian General. In the New Testament, we read of the five chaste daughters of Philip who prepared, exercised, and operated in the sphere of divine purpose (Acts 21:8-9).

Despite pervading pollution and temptations, youth with Purpose are equipped to “flee also youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2Tim.2:22). They are fortified by faith to overcome: “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one” (1Jh.2:14b).