1 Tim 4:12 (part 2)

Continued thoughts on 1 Timothy 4:12

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young..."

Revised version for the purpose of viewing it as an "elder:"

"Don't look down on the young..."

I know, I know, I know... I'm not considered old yet. I may not be officially a part of an elder grouping, but I do find myself in places of a mentor at times and have realized that I, too, have looked down on the young.

Why, I wondered, as I read this over and over again, do I do this? I believe there are two major reasons for my doing this.

First, I have been disappointed many times by those I've mentored. I often feel as though my love, advice, and/or encouragement go right through their ears. This often makes me a little less than hopeful for their growth.

These frustrations, though, are not the response in me that scares me...

My second reason I am discovering I have for looking down on the young is pride. Yes that horrible sneaky sin. I find myself not wanting to be on the same level of someone younger (whether in actual age or in the faith).

I remember hearing through my younger years that I was intelligent, wise, or spiritually sound, especially for a young person. What is meant as encouragement can also puff someone up (I think that's why Proverbs speaks of how compliments are tests, Proverbs 27:21). I have often desired to be great, and have felt the younger I became great, the greater I would be. I am seeing that as I'm getting older I am more and more jealous of young ones who still have the opportunity of young greatness. This has led me at times to withhold wisdom I could share or to look down on the young. I have looked down on them so I won't feel as though they can really teach me. In those deep, hidden beliefs that grip tighter in their secrecy I fear that if I can be taught by someone younger than I'm really not that great of a person, or I have missed my potential.

This belief system is, of course, poppycock. Why?

I CAN learn from them, and my learning shouldn't make me feel any less of a person. The young are as much vessels of God as I am. God has used donkeys and even "wicked" people. I'm not any greater when God chooses to use me. He can use who He wants. It has nothing to do with me... SOOO I shouldn't be jealous when God uses someone else, I shouldn't use God's blessings as a means to puff up my pride.

Without pride there is no jealousy, and without jealousy I will have no good reason to look down on the young.  

This is wonderful! Now to replace some bad beliefs....

1 Tim 4:12

These are some thoughts from last night's Lectio Divina at the ROCK youth group.

1 Timothy 4:12

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." 

... First thing that jumped out at me: "...For the believers..."

Why would we need to have the mindset to be an example for the believers? Shouldn't the believers already do well in these things? 

Just a thought: Often as believers we can become stagnant or plateau. We can easily begin to think that we're good enough, especially if we compare ourselves to the believer next to us... Maybe we doing "better" than them, or maybe we doing about the same. I think this exhortation to be an example is the positive way of saying don't compare or measure yourself to others. If you have the mindset of being an example your going to live according to Christ instead of according to your neighbor. Instead of meeting diluted expectations you are able to go beyond "good enough" (whatever that is) and show others what it truly means to be Christ in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.

NY Revolutions

New Years Revolutions.

It seems a little early to be thinking about this. But I'm beginning to wonder if the reason for so many failed revolutions is the fact we jump into them cold turkey... literally, more than a month after the turkey was cooked. I think I'll start some goals now... then when revolutions are in season, I'll already be ahead of the game. ; )

bad belief

What do you do when you've discovered a bad belief in your system?

You replace the old for the new.

Yes, it's that simple. It's just not that easy.

attraction

I really, really, really, really, really dislike being very much attracted to someone, but also being pretty sure that they are not someone I would marry. It makes the attraction worthless and in the way.

It's even worse when it happens to be someone I want to be friends with. At least it's not mutual... that would get complicated.

I've asked God many times in the past if He would allow me to only "like" the guy I'm gonna marry. Make things easier, right? I guess He's not all about that. I know He's protected me from so much, but I'm still trying to figure out these hormonal things.... How long have I had them? Haha... it feels pathetic, though I have been told it's normal. I hope to create a new normal.

Even though I'm having a hard time trying to figure things out, I'm not too worried about it. I want to protect my heart, so I'm giving it to God. If He allows someone to have a part of it as well then it must be okay. I just have to remember everyday to give to God. I seem to take it back by the evening. I'm not much for truly giving up control. But it is evening now and I'll give this heart back to Him. I think He's already holding it, but just to make sure I'll give it again.

Attractions come and go. It annoys me.
Jesus never loses His awesomeness. That never annoys me.

I'm glad something doesn't. ;)

good enough

I often question how well I actually do things? Am I really good enough in anything? Do I really have talents or gifts, or am I mediocre. I question this a lot. It seems to have been the bane of me for many years. I questioned this a lot until I realized... It doesn't matter.

Compassion

I feel suspended in air

But I know it’s Your hands upon me.

Floating, drifting, seemingly without purpose

Yet I know it’s for You

            For me

                        For Us.

My broken heart is whole

I do not understand this paradox

Compassion

It’s what You use to break it

In this broken state it is whole

Peace and Joy hold it together

It is broken for a reason

For this reason alone is it still whole

Pouring thick Grace and Love

To the brim of my heart

A continuous flow

For the sake of the cracks

The cracks

For the sake of those in my sphere

What I take in

My brokenness allows me to share

What I take in

My wholeness graces me with enough

I feel suspended in air

But I know it’s Your hands upon me.

Floating, drifting, seemingly without purpose

Yet I know it’s for You

            For me

                        For Them

                                    For Us!

It will always be for us

For we are one

Welcome Holy Spirit

Break and make whole