Thursday, December 11, 2008

To My Young Friends

I have many friends who are 25 and under. Some of my friends are younger than 5. :) I love and enjoy young people, children and babies. I have a real heart for them. I am writing this note for any of my female friends, regardless of their age, but specifically for those friends of mine who are between the ages of 13 and their low 20's. I know that some of them read my blog. I will add that it could be to any young woman of this age.

You are at an exciting time in your life. You are old enough that you have learned most of the skills you will need to take care of your own home. You have an important place in your family and responsibilities that are assigned to you. You may be thinking of your futures as wives and moms. Some of you that I know will be going to college. Others are going to mission fields to serve whether in the US or on foreign soil. You have dreams and fears about the future. In many respects you are ready to burst forth and go onward, but there is still that part of you that is not wanting change or to leave the safety net of your family home. There are many changes in your life... physically, emotionally and spiritually. I want to encourage you and to exhort you.

First, I would ask you to make certain of your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not about praying a prayer one day at an altar or even in your home. I love the Paul Washer video that tells people that if you prayed a prayer and there was no life change, you may have just had an emotional experience. Being born again is not only about a fire escape from hell. It is more about the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He bought you with a very high and precious price. You are not your own boss anymore. You answer to King Jesus!! Many of us will admit this readily and agree with it heartily. Yet, when it comes down to the basics in our lives, it does not show. As a young woman what are your basics? You are to worship and serve the Lord as His child. How do you do this.... Obedience. What are the commands specific to young people?

One of the biggest is to honor your father and your mother. Often times we feel closer to one parent or the other. I know in our home, Joshua and I were so much alike, that often times it was easier for him to go to his dad. However, we are called to honor both. I sometimes see and hear argumentative young people talking to their parents. To be a rebellious daughter is a serious offense. In the Old Testament it was punishable by death. It was likened unto witchcraft. I think back to my own childhood. I said many things to my parents. It was not until I had a child of my own and we struggled that I realized the pain I must have inflicted on those two people who loved me more than anyone else on earth did. It can be like a knife to the heart. I am so grateful that I was able to go to my parents and ask forgiveness when I was older. However, we are not always given that opportunity. I am very out front in the fact that your parent can be taken from you in an instant when you least expect it. Don't have regrets to live with.

Another point I came across recently in my Bible reading fits in here as well. I am reading through the Bible at my own pace in my Mom's Bible which is a New Living Translation. It is in 1 Corinthians chapter 8. It is talking about eating meat sacrificed to idols and how it can be a stumbling block to weaker Christians and that if it is, we should not eat it. Here is a portion of that chapter.

9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. 10 For if others see you—with your “superior knowledge”—eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? 11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer[b] for whom Christ died will be destroyed. 12 And when you sin against other believers[c] by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. 13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.

Look at verse 12. When you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong (in the case of being disrespectful it IS wrong), you are sinning against Christ. How about when you sass your parent and your younger siblings are around. They are taught this is wrong, but you do it, so they learn to do it from watching you. You will be held accountable for this. You have a serious obligation to your siblings, especially if you are older. You may go back and apologize, but the consequences may continue to filter on down.

I am writing this not to condemn anyone, but to encourage you to walk uprightly in this area. There are wonderful consequences called blessings when we choose to do what is right. The Bible tells us:

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

This is a commandment with promise. It will be well with you and you will live a long life.

To go back to the beginning of what I am writing about here, you are at a place in your life where life changing and life long decisions will be made. These need to be made with the Lord's counsel and you need to have a clear heart and conscience to make these decisions. If we have sin that is undealt with, our prayers are hindered. Please, I pray, ask the Lord to help you to be faithful in the basics that He has shown you in His Word.

Titus 2: 3-5 3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

I want to be found faithful in exhorting you and cheering you on in your walk. I pray for you and love you and truly want God's best for you!!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Marci,
What an amazing post today!It really hit home. I have a 16 and a half year old daughter. It is such a trying time in her young life.The straight and narrow road is sometimes so hard to follow.I will have her read it tomorrow she is now studying for mid terms.Thank you for being YOU!
A Friend in Florida, Dee

Jo Lynn said...

Wow Marci! I am emailing this to Audrey. I hope it will help her in her journey of adulthood.

I just started a bible study group on yahoogroups. I haven't found a bible study group local that I like yet. So I started one. I have about 11 members. You are more than welcome to join. I love your insight on christian living.

Jo Lynn

TNfarmgirl said...

Marci,
What an awesome post. Saving this for my files. Thank you!
Merry Christmas,
Cheri

"SENDERO DE VIDA" CATAZAJÁ said...

Hello, mis mejores deseos para tí. God bless you.

Anonymous said...

This is so true, Marci. I shudder to think of the pain I caused my parents when I was a young girl. My two oldest children are teens now and I often think of my parents when I'm having difficulty with one of them. And they don't even do the things I did! I am so thankful for my family who didn't ever give up on me when it appeared I was heading down the wrong path. If only I could undo some of the things I did....

Girls need to hear this and realize that their actions (both good and bad) are influencing others and their own lives for a long time.

You are always so kind in your admonition, Marci. :-)

~Karen in Ohio

The Sisters said...

Hi Marci,
Thanks for such a great post!!

~Have a great weekend! (-:

Unknown said...

Marci
I thank you for being a Christain friend and roll model to my daughters. God places people in our lives just at the most perfect time. Thank you for caring.
Love in Christ.
Lisa