(A continuation of Walk The Talk)
"Kabataan ang pagasa ng bayan" is a famous line from our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, believing that the next generation would stand up tall and will lead the next coming generation into building up a better nation, and it has to start with themselves but is it really happening?
If I am to ask you guys, do you still believe that we [youths] are the hope of the nation? Seeing all the youths around, with different lives, different personalities, different principles in life--are these folks working on for the nation's sake? I would say, NO. I personally, as a youth, is failing to do good for the nation. Well to reduce the pressure (because it is not about being nationalistic because I am not), what I like to stressed out here is the fact that we [youths] are failing to play our roles in this country. We should help build a good nation, or to start up with, building a good community, but it is very evident that it is the youths who, most of the times, are leading the crime scenes and rumors and issues that are unacceptable in the society. There were killings from one gang to another, premarital sex issues as well as abortion, even incest cases and homosexuality, alcoholism and drugs, illegal businesses, prostitution, rebellion against the government, young thieves and many more. These issues are all about the young ones, the teenagers, the youth. I can almost say that they are one of the top problem of every country. Now can we still say that we are the hope of and for the nation to make it better? Ask yourself.
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (NIV)
1 Timothy 4:12
1 Timothy 4:12
That is my devotion for today which gave me the drive to write this blog to wake up the youths out there that we have to be the change we want the world to be. When I've read this verse, the first thing that popped out of my mind is that what is this verse trying to tell me today? I have heard this verse a hundred times because it has been like a motto for us, youths. It is said by Paul to Timothy (who is a youth at that time) as an encouragement to stand up tall in front of the many. Especially, Timothy is about to go around the world to preach the gospel. Paul already foreseen that there will be persecutors around as well as insults that Timothy might encounter because of his youth. He is too young for some and so why it has to be him to lead the community and especially to teach the gospel. That is why Paul uttered these last words for Timothy to pass on the goal to him.
Now going back to what this verse is trying to tell me, it is not just a reminder for me to not let my youth be the hindrance in becoming the light of this world but to stress to me that this verse is about PROVING WHY YOU SHOULDN'T BE LOOKED DOWN BY OTHERS. And the answer is seen also in the verse: but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
Now going back to what this verse is trying to tell me, it is not just a reminder for me to not let my youth be the hindrance in becoming the light of this world but to stress to me that this verse is about PROVING WHY YOU SHOULDN'T BE LOOKED DOWN BY OTHERS. And the answer is seen also in the verse: but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
I would like to emphasize that very important phrase in the verse which is 'SET AN EXAMPLE'. We should always expect that there will be oppositions around us, not only from the elders but as well as from our co-youths. So what should we do then? We should prove to them that we are not to be looked down as small as ants easy to stump down. We should prove to them. That is why Paul said we should SET AN EXAMPLE.
This blog is a wake-up call for the Christians out there. How is our life? Do our friends can clearly see in us that we are Christians? Self-check. When I read this verse it is urging me to check myself. Am I doing the job? Am I playing my role correctly? Will I get an A+ due to my performances? Let us altogether check ourselves.
'Set an example for the believers,' Paul said. But let us show it otherwise to the unbelievers. Paul said we should set an example for the believers because it will surely be a big help to encourage them amidst disappointment, to motivate them continue doing good, to strengthen them despite circumstances and keep focused but we should also set an example for the unbelievers to take them out of the dark and be saved. To sum up, we should set an example for everyone. That is the key to prove that they should not really look down on us. That is the key if we want to prove that we are not worthy to be looked down as if we are unable to do anything. That is the only key, to set an example. Once we failed, it is likewise giving them to right to oppose us and prove them that we are weak.
How should we set an example? The verse says, 'in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.' That is how we should set an example.
One simple illustration is instead of fighting back when someone lied at you or spread gossips about you, simply keep mum. Be meek. Do not fight back through gossiping about that person too or lying as well to that person. Rather be quiet and pray for that someone than exchanging statements with that person because you're angry. Fighting back might just let you keep the anger firing up and might let you speak out foul or inappropriate words. Aside from firing the anger more, you will lose your credibility as a Christian. So set an example in speech.
Another is to set an example in purity. You may have a friend who is committing premarital sex or some who is planning to do abortion or even those who are homosexuals, what you should do is to rebuke them. Correct them thus it will help them be reminded or somehow it might make them stop doing it. Expect that there will be about 90% possibility for them to neglect your rebuke and reminders, but as long as you did your part, it is a big help. Rather pray for them; it works.
To set an example in love. Forgive and forget and start anew--a great illustration of love. Without exemptions, love and show kindness to everyone, not just to those who are loving. Love unconditionally. Show fairness. No favoritism. If it is their right, let them. Do not put chains in their necks and boss around. Let them feel the breeze of life. No abuse! No taking advantage. Love. Love. It is the greatest among all. Love.
Set an example in faith is likewise showing your testimony with the glory of God. Remember we should be the living Bible. Show the world through your lives that GOD IS A GOD, and no one else can be like Him. Show them you have a God. Show them that you can do all things even if it is so hard because you have Christ who will give you strength. Teach them how to pray amidst impossibility, because 'Prayers can move mountains.' Show them that you are able to change even it is very impossible because you have faith and you trust God.
Make sense? Share it. It is as simple as that. Set an example. Wake up! Start proving it today.
REMEMBER: Action speaks louder than words.
