INTRODUCTION
The LORD created you with a purpose in mind. Out of over 7 billion people on the face of this earth you must know that you are uniquely created. You are not a mistake neither are you an accident. According to Psalm 139 v 14, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. In fact you are marvelously made according to this verse, therefore be lifted and know that your destiny is great.
BE FOCUSED
According to Hebrews 12 v 1, we have our destinies mapped out. We are to run the race that is set before us. In other words, we must not run another man’s race. As a teenager I was a 100 meter sprinter and was recognized by my school as a very fast athlete.
One rule was that you must not cross over to another athlete’s track; another rule was that you must not look at the athletes to your right or left hand side but set your focus on the finishing line. In the scripture we have verses to back up these rules in our spiritual race.
1 Timothy 4 v 8 informs us that there is profit in bodily exercise even though in comparison to godliness the profit is considered small.
Another verse, Isaiah 50 v 7 tells us to set our face like a flint, in other words we are to be focused on Jesus and our goal in life. Another scripture that backs up where our focus should be is Hebrews 12 v 2, which tells us that we should focus on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
As youths, peer pressure is a tool that the enemy uses to steer us away from our God ordained goals. Another tool is what is called an inferiority complex, whereby we are discontented with our lot in life, whereas 1 Timothy 6 v 6 tells us that godliness with contentment is of a huge profit.
Learn to be content with the way God created you because you have a great purpose. Your purpose in life is a functionality of your existence and kindles the vision for your life. If you do not understand the purpose of a thing, you will abuse it. Abuse is abnormal use.
Always protect your purpose and your vision; remember Proverbs 29 v 18 which tells us that where vision is not kept alive, purpose is aborted. We are told that the people perish, they may not literally perish but their dreams and aspirations die. Keep your vision alive and move with the right people.
Proverbs 27 v 17 tells us that iron sharpens iron and in this way a man can affect his friend positively.
1 Corinthians 15 v 33 tells us that evil communication contaminates good upbringing, therefore choose right associations.
SIX CHARACTERISTICS OF THE USEFUL YOUTH
There are certain characteristics that showcase a youthful youth. Six of these characteristics are highlighted here. As a useful youth, especially in the home you must be:
- U – Unassuming. You are to be useful from God’s perspective, not yours. Find out what He wants you to do. Martha assumed but Mary sought the Lord’s will (Luke 10 v 38 to 42).
- S – Serving. Do notice that this is continuous tense. Service is not a one off; it is to be practiced in your home as it serves as a training ground for your future relationships in life. Therefore submit yourself to the dictates of the home. Learn discipline at home. Every good Christian home has boundaries that should not be crossed. Your parents have set boundaries for your own good. Being responsible means bearing fruit, in other words contribute your quota to the progress of the family. The fig tree did not produce fruit and was considered fit to be cut down (Luke 13 v 6 to 9).
- E – Enterprising. Think profit. In other words whatever you touch must be left in a better condition than when you first handled it. God is a God of increase according to 1 Corinthians 3 v 6 and we are His children so we must think increase. In the story of the talents in Matthew 25 v 14 to 30, the servants who received 5 and 2 talents had thoughts of increase and brought forth increase .
You cannot give what you do not have. Proverbs 23 v 7 tells us that as a man thinks in his heart so is he. The servant with 1 talent thought stagnancy; he did not think of profit and as a result failed his master. Always look at how to be a better person and how to do things in a better way, whether academically, spiritually or physically.
F – Family Conscious. Learn to look after your family members. Look after your parents and your siblings. Exodus 20 v 12 instructs us to honour our father and mother. You have a role to play in the home. There is what is called division of labour, therefore do your household chores. Do not avoid doing manual work because it keeps you humble.
- U – Uncontaminated from the world. Remember friendship with the world according to John 4 v4 is enmity against God. Let Jesus be your first love just as Revelation 2 v 4 admonishes us. Learn to live a holy life. 1 Peter 15 and 16 says we should be holy as God is holy.
- L – Leading. In other words take the initiative. Develop a positive mind set and a creative mentality. Update yourself so that you will not be outdated. Be current; attend trainings, seminars and workshops. Remember wisdom finds out knowledge of witty inventions according to Proverbs 8 v 12.
To be a leader, endeavour to be a servant leader. You cannot lead effectively if you have cannot serve. The centurion in Matthew 8 verses 8 and 9 understood this principle.
Embrace these characteristics and excel for Christ. Remember you are destined to be great.
