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Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
-I Timothy 4:12
This past Sunday, I was invited back to the church I served last in North Carolina. They were celebrating their 200th anniversary and many of the former pastors, educators, and staff returned. One of the real treats for me was to see the youth and families with which I’d worked and hear what they do and who they’ve become. Some are in college, some in careers. One has become a Marine JAG lawyer, another has worked in the mission field. One is preparing to move to this area and seeking a church and I was excited he wanted to visit ours. One of them, who crossed paths with youth from JCPC in college is living outside DC and doing important consulting for the government. It’s a great fit for one of the most responsible kids I’ve ever had in youth.
I told the young lady I still tell stories about her and what a leader she was among her peers, one story in particular. I always collect contact info, shirt sizes, and grade levels from the youth before a big trip. I typically put an example at the top of the page so the youth and parents have an example to follow. I usually put “Jesus” and fill in his mom and dad’s name etc. A good example is easy to follow, right? Well, one summer, Anna, my responsible senior at the time, filled in her information. She followed Jesus’ example perfectly, including copying his answer for grade level... adult... instead of her own grade... 12. The kicker was that everyone else followed HER example because no one could imagine Anna doing anything wrong. I had to track down each youth for a grade level afterwards. We still laugh about it.
Anna taught me something in that moment. One lesson was that we can have a powerful influence on our peers when they know we try hard to follow Jesus. And the second is that following Jesus doesn’t always mean being identical. Most parents would hope we don’t sneak off alone by ourselves at age 12 on family vacation. Not all of us are called to be preachers or teachers. Simultaneously, the lessons are that being known as a Jesus follower can be highly influential, and we must take care that example is one of guidance and wisdom, rather than mimicking only. We can copy Jesus or quote Jesus perfectly, but that’s not what we are called to do. Jesus calls us to follow, to walk with him, not mirror or mimic. He calls us to show his love to those in our lives who need it. Whether we are teachers, missionaries, lawyers, or consultants, we are called to love people where we are and lead them to a deeper relationship with a God who loves us.
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