Being a Christian can have its triumphs and its challenges. Some Christians enjoy loads of triumphs and few challenges; others enjoy few triumphs and loads of challenges. Each Christian has a unique perspective on living the Christian life.
A valuable exercise for each of us to attempt is to place ourselves “into the shoes” of other members of the church around us. Doing so can bring us joy, by enjoying their triumphs with them (i.e., “rejoicing with those who rejoice”). But doing so can also bring us grief, by enduring their challenges with them (i.e., “weeping with those who weep”). Either way, we would grow (personally) in the process of seeing Christianity through the eyes of someone who is experiencing it a little differently than we are.
For example, a young Christian once affirmed, “Being the youngest, smallest and the most inexperienced member [is] difficult.” Did you hear that? Have you ever tried to imagine what it is like to live as a teenage Christian today? As if trying to live a holy life (different from everyone else around them) isn’t hard enough on “Monday through Saturday,” how many teenage Christians find it challenging (and maybe even discouraging) to consider themselves “the youngest, smallest and most inexperienced members of the church” on Sunday? That’s not to dispute the accuracy of the claim—many of them are the youngest, smallest and most inexperienced. But, the point is, what can we do to encourage them to flourish?
First, let none of us ever be guilty of “despising their youth” (1 Tim. 4:12). As Dr. Seuss might say, “A child of God is a child of God, no matter how small!”
Second, let us all find ways to speak words of encouragement to them (1 Thess. 4:18). “How delightful is a timely word!” (Prov. 15:23).
Third, let us all look for the good in our youth, rather than the bad! It is possible to “seek and find” (Matt. 7:7) what you’re wanting to find!
Fourth, let us all seek to motivate our youth to greater heights of faith (Acts 11:23), rather than tear them down for mistakes they make (Gal. 5:15)!
Fifth, let us all provide opportunities for our youth to be real, actual, active parts of the church right “now” (1 Pet. 2:10), rather than having to wait until they “come of age.”
Sixth, let us all spend genuinely meaningful time in fellowship with our youth (1 Pet. 4:9; 1 John 4:7).
This young Christian (quoted above) went on to say, “But as Philippians 4:13 states, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’” Let us be instruments in the hands of Christ to help strengthen young Christians!