God at Work Through Youth

Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 1:6-8

A twenty-two year old walked into her classroom this week and told her students to take a seat even though some of them look older than she is.  A twenty-six year old just attended his first elders meeting and provided a report to a group of men who are on average more than forty years older than he is.  When God leads young people to consider callings within the Church, He sees things in those whom He created that others do not see.  He also works through young people who have little experience, but whom He has chosen for His service.  Like Jeremiah and Samuel, David and Mary, God sets apart young people to serve Him in many and various ways.

Now is exactly the right time to talk with young people about service in the Church, not just high school youth either.  The prophet Samuel was just a young boy when he entered into the Lord’s Service as an assistant to Eli.  Many church workers will say that they first considered service in the church as young boys and girls.  God can use older generations to encourage the young to consider church work vocations.  We serve our congregations and schools well for the future when we talk with young people about preparing to be pastors, teachers and other servants at one of our Concordia Universities.

It is also good for us to be reminded that God does work through the service of young teachers, DCEs, deaconesses and pastors as they teach God’s Word to those they serve.  The power comes not from the abilities or the experience of those called, but the Word that they speak.  We give thanks to God for all the new teachers, preachers and servants in our congregations and schools.  We also pray that God will raise up the next generation of young people for service in Christ’s name and proclaiming Christ’s Word.

Prayer - Almighty God, guide and direct men and women at different stages of life to consider service in our schools and congregations.  Raise up teachers, deaconesses, Directors of Christian Education, Outreach and Family Ministry, as well as pastors, that your people may be built up and strengthened in the faith; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan