As young as you are, set an example.

Good day, good people! This is the day that the Lord has made; never forget that. Regardless of what you face in the morning, afternoon, or evening, this day is a gift to you and me, so let’s cherish it.

As we commemorate Youth Day in South Africa, I want to encourage all young believers to stay strong and set an example. Being an example is not easy; for some of us, we might be doing something different from what our peers in our communities are doing. I remember when I used to belong to the “cool kids”; we called those boys or girls who liked church “pastors.” When they started calling me “Pastor,” I was not trying to hide or shy away because of those boys and girls who set an example.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT): “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

What you say matters, and we cannot emphasize that enough; people will judge you based on what you say, whether you like it or not. Remember, Jesus told them, “It is what comes out of the mouth of a man that defiles him.” (Matthew 15:11) So set an example in what you say.

The way you live matters because people say one thing and live another. You cannot claim that you are a believer and live like a non-believer, or people can only know that you are a believer when you tell them. Some of us, if people didn’t see us getting saved, wouldn’t know that we are saved. Let your way of living be an example to believers.

Do you love yourself? Okay, the way you do it, let it be the same love given to your neighbor; you can’t negotiate it. But this neighbor did that, so I can’t. Do you love God? Okay, love your brother. Nah, but my brother is not treating me well. He is not lovable. There are people whose love you can tell that surely God is love because the way they love doesn’t make sense.

Takeaway: You are setting an example, whether you like it or not, so choose this day what kind of example you want to set.

Prayer: Abba, Father, we thank you in Jesus’ name, Ameni!