Seven Principles for Young Believers Seeking Direction

The Urgency of Youth

Youth is hard to define. When does it end? Suddenly, without warning it is gone and…where did it go? Flipping through an old poetry book recently, I found one poem that captured my attention on the subject.

The Flight of Youth by Richard Henry Stoddard

There are gains for all our losses, There are balms for all our pain:

But when youth, the dream, departs, It takes something from our hearts,

And it never comes again.

We are stronger, and are better, Under manhood’s sterner reign:

Still we feel that something sweet followed youth, with flying feet,

And will never come again.

Something beautiful is vanished and we sigh for it in vain:

We behold it everywhere, On the earth, and in the air,

But it never comes again.

I know nothing about Stoddard, but he captured it. Read Ecclesiastes 12 again. Youth comes, and goes. Maay of the greatest decision are made in those years. Seasons of great physical and mental strength are often wasted on temporal pursuits. Here are few thoughts…

1.  If you still have your youth, do not waste it.

2.  If youth is gone, thank God for the lessons learned and determine to make the most of this season of your life.

3.  If you love young people, challenge them to make every day count.

There should be an urgency to youth – the urgency to use every ounce of energy and passion for the glory of God.  Youth may fade, but the urgency should not.  I hope to finish my journey with the same urgency I had as a young man, because when life is gone…”it never comes again.”

Counsel to Young People and to Those Who Counsel Them

It is my privilege to speak most weeks in churches with a multitude of middle school, high school, and college age young people. It is fascinating that the older I get the younger they seem! Not long ago (in my mind) I sat where they sit. Making decisions and seeking direction.

I have spent the past month speaking at various summer camps (and will continue to do so this month!). Listening to them, talking with them, and praying for them. They are full of hope for their future; every one of them is in the middle of a season of decision. Decisions that will alter the course of their life. Perhaps I am more concerned than they are because I have seen so many poor choices and sad casualties.

Meeting after meeting it seems that the conversations returned again and again to a few basic principles. Different kids, varied circumstances, a multitude of questions – but the same truths kept emerging. If I could speak with any sincere Christian young person, here is what I would say:

1.  Stay close to God.

If you are going to hear His instruction you have to be close enough to hear His voice. Do not expect to make wise decisions if you separate yourself from the only Source of true wisdom. This is not a time to be lax in your Bible reading or casual about your prayer life. Seek the Lord and He will make it plain.

Haddon Robinson once said, “The Bible does not provide a map for life – only a compass.” Scriptural principles will ensure that you are making wise choices and staying within the perimeters of God’s purpose for you. Stay in the Word of God and you will hear Him speak.

2.  Never make a decision without counsel.

You cannot trust your own heart, however well informed you think it to be. The best of people have their blind spots and need insight from others. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Find your multitude and be very careful who is in that number…

3.  Give more weight to the counsel of parents and pastors than you do the advice of your peers.

I marvel at how many young people make life choices on the suggestions of those who have no more life experience than they do! Find someone with gray hair. Talk to those who have a different perspective than you do. Remember that the sin of Rehoboam was listening to the young men that grew up with him instead of the old men (1 Kings 12:8). It split a nation and cost him the kingdom.

Ask the old men. Our silly society now places the greatest premium on the shallow musings of celebrities and the sage advice of youth. Eastern cultures were right about their regard for elders. There is little to admire about immaturity and inexperience.

4.  When there is doubt, don’t!

Satan brings question marks. God brings periods and exclamation points. If you are unsure of what to do…do nothing! Stay put. Wait on the Lord. Be patient and the God of perfect timing will show you what to do. It is just as sinful to get ahead of the Lord as it is to get behind Him.

5.  Never make a decision based solely on a negative.

We all have a tendency to react. To people. To circumstances. This is a dangerous way to make decisions. Emotions are apt to betray you. God leads by TRUTH, not feelings. When the truth of God’s Word, the truth of wise counselors, and the Spirit of truth within you are all moving in the same direction, you are on safe ground. Until then, do not trust your emotions.

Remember that God never leads His people solely from something, He leads them to something. I have watched people leave churches, jobs, colleges, and places of blessing for the mystical unknown. Yes, there is a time to leave over moral or doctrinal error, but most often people leave for far less. If God has not shown you the next step, sit tight.

As the military says: “Continue on the last order until you hear from headquarters.”

6.  Do what you already know to be the will of God.

There are no shortcuts in the will of God, only steps. Do what you know, and you will know what to do. The will of God is not future – it is always present. Begin where you are. If you are not obeying Him today, do not expect Him to tell you what He wants for tomorrow.

7.  Stay open.

You cannot plan the will of God; you can only follow it. Far too often we try to guide God into what we want to do. This never turns out well. Those who desire to know God’s will and are willing to wait on it will find it!

Someone once wrote that the will of God is not revealed as a syllabus; it is rolled out as a scroll – a little at a time. I can tell you from experience that young people like a very complete syllabus. God does not work that way. Follow Him one day at a time. Enjoy the journey and know that He will without doubt lead you to the right destination.

The Years Pass Quickly

When I was in junior high, I wanted to be in high school…When I was in high school, I wanted to get my driver’s license…When I could drive, I wanted to graduate…When I graduated, I wanted to be in college…When I was in college, I wanted to be out of college…When I was out of college, I wanted to be married…When I was married, I wanted to have children…When we had children, I wanted to…stop!

It does not work that way. Life moves on. More quickly every day.

My children are all grown up, and I am growing older. The years are passing too quickly. Like this summer will be followed by autumn and winter, the seasons of life come and go. The children become adults.  Life moves on.

Such thoughts tend toward melancholy, but they should tend toward action  Love every moment of your life. Be grateful to God for each day and make the most of this one. It will never come again.

*For more on this, listen to Scott’s series, “Which Way Do I Go?“

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About Scott Pauley

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