Declaration 2022: The DevotionalsSample

Take the limits off in 2022! 

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Timothy was Paul’s mentee and had been given the authority to act on Paul’s behalf to help complete the task of setting up the churches that Paul had helped to plant. Not only that but Timothy was also commissioned to teach and help appoint leaders and elders to govern and pastor the people; many of whom would have been older than him. What a mighty responsibility! 

Timothy was relatively young when he was given this responsibility and this would have been a daunting task, yet Paul had great confidence in him and instructed him to disregard his age, and what people thought of it. Just imagine a younger person today setting up churches, teaching, and then appointing elders to lead them!

Paul’s encouragement to Timothy to not let his age become a barrier to living out his faith, vocation and purpose is a timeless reminder and lesson to the church to take the gifts, ideas, talents, and contributions of young people seriously. 

However, Paul’s encouragement also poses a question to young people. What if the person “looking down on you” and accepting age as a barrier is you? What if as a young person, you need to take the limits off yourself? What would happen if you looked beyond the reality of your age and stepped into that leadership role in your church, community, workplace, and world? What would your faith and life look like if you became limitless? 

Living out your faith as a young Christian can be exciting, liberating, and adventurous when your validation comes from God and not the prison of pleasing people. It is a stage of life to humbly take instruction from leaders who believe in you and where you live out your faith with zeal, passion, energy, and lighter life responsibilities.

So in 2022 go out into the world knowing that you’ve been created for this time, that you have authority and a great purpose. Let the world see how good God is through you and remember that God wants to do big things through you for the world and his kingdom, so take the limits off!

Reflection:  

• Where have you placed limits on yourself because of worldly things?  
• In 2022, pray and ask God to release you to your full potential. 

By Shermera Fletcher