At ease in your youth

Was it more difficult growing up in previous generations without many of today’s modern conveniences? Or was it simpler and easier? Those in older generations can often describe both the hardships of their day and expound the positives of the ‘good old days’. We’d have to say that every generation will have unique challenges and advantages. The important thing for every young person is not whether life is getting easier or more difficult. It is the way we approach life. Are we pro-actively following the Lord, changing our attitudes and learning to give? Or could we be likened to Moab who was described as being ‘at ease since his youth’. Jer 48:11.

The Lord considers us to be ‘at ease’ when our attitudes and perceptions of life are not changing. The prophet Jeremiah described such a youth by saying, ‘He retains his flavour, and his aroma has not changed’. Jer 48:11. We all know that as a person grows up they will undergo significant physical changes. However, our youth should be the time when we experience significant character development as well. Our views, perceptions, and understanding of life should be continually challenged so that we become mature. If we ‘retain’ our immature attitudes, or our ‘flavour’ as Jeremiah uses the word, then the ‘aroma’ we produce in life will never change. And it’s the ‘aroma’ we produce that determines how we are known and considered by others.

It should be the goal of every young person to manifest the aroma of Christ. If we have received the life of Jesus then we should be bearing the fruit of His life. That is genuine success in life. The apostle Paul said, ‘Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place’. 2 Cor 2:14. This is our goal and yet we can never achieve this testimony if we retain our own flavour. 

The first step in losing our own flavour is to ‘empty ourselves’. This should be the pursuit of every Christian because this was the example of Jesus Himself. Paul wrote to the Philippian church, ‘Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who … emptied Himself’. Phil 2:5,7. As we grow up, we are not naturally inclined to do this. In fact, we are much more likely to grow up believing that we are right and have all the answers. This is the evidence of a person who has never been ‘emptied from vessel to vessel’. Jer 48:11.

Until we learn how to empty ourselves, the Lord sends those who disturb us and effectively tip us over. ‘I will send to him those who tip vessels, and they will tip him over, and they will empty his vessels’. Jer 48:12. This is the Lord’s mercy to us, saving us from the judgement of our own arrogance and immaturity. We should welcome those who challenge our views and perceptions of life. By this means, we learn how to empty ourselves, hear from the Lord and learn from others. Instead of being ‘at ease’, we learn how to be fervent and effective in our youth.

David Baker

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Feature Articles
September 2008

Searching out a man

The new birth

Signs of the times

The national anthem

Overcoming fear & anxiety

Anointed with oil

Compassion that restores

The success formula

Desire to be known

At ease in your youth

The mother of all wars