Youthful Influence!

As young people, you are in a position to greatly influence your peers and even those older than you. You have youthful energy, and, to a great extent, a degree of simple honesty in your outlook on life since you have not had years to develop too many biases. What that means is, you may see some things a little clearer than some of us older folk. (But don’t throw out all our wisdom and guidance yet.) The mistakes of the generations before you don’t have to define your destiny today. Nor do your own mistakes of the past need to define your destiny for the future. However, what you feed your mind and focus on is important to influence toward the right things.

In 2 Chronicles 34 we read of Josiah who became king of Judah at the age of eight. He was preceded by two wicked kings (Manasseh and Amon). Though Josiah was young, he did not allow himself to fall into the same type of leadership or lifestyle that came before him. We read that in the eighth year of his reign (age 16) he began to focus and seek out God (verse 3). In the twelfth year (age 20) he began to clear out of Judah and Jerusalem all the objects of idolatry (verses 3-7). In his eighteenth year (age 24) he set in order the project to repair the temple in order to get the nation back into proper worship with God (verses 8 and following).

But why, among God’s people, was there so much from which Josiah had to turn the nation around? Because as the temple was being cleaned up and the money was being brought out, “Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses.” (verse 14). God’s words, His commands for the nation, had been lost. They had not been referred to. The earlier kings had done their own thing. Josiah, beginning in his youth, desired to do God’s thing. And Josiah drew the attention of the people back to God’s commands.

The social, political, and religious climate of Judah prior to Josiah’s reign was due to God’s word being lost. And if we neglect to read and take God’s word to heart today, it might as well be lost for all the good (or lack of good) it will do us. Set your focus on God’s way. Use the youthful energy and insight God has given you to influence in what is right. God can use you to bring blessing into the lives of people you come into contact with both young and old. God is ready to work great things through your life if you will open your heart and allow Him to do so.

Have a great day INFLUENCING TO THE GLORY OF GOD!
Carl

(originally sent 09/09/98)

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