Age is but a Number

Wednesday, April 15th
Age is but a Number
By Nicole Goddard

Have you ever looked around our congregation and been in awe of the beauty that the room is full of people in various stages of their faith journey? Hundreds of people in one space with different stories, remarkable encounters and distinct walks with Christ.
 
John was writing to such a varying group of believers in 1 John experiencing turmoil and false influences in the early church. He called out God’s children in general. He acknowledged those mature in the faith. However, it was his acknowledgement of those young in faith that caught my attention:
 
 
I have written to you who are young in the faith
Because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts,
And you have won your battle with the evil one.
1 John 2:14 (Messiah pg. 442)
 
 
Ohh how tempting it is to just apply the stage of being young in faith to brand new believers. But what the Holy Spirit revealed to me in this verse, is that ‘age is just a number’. Those young in the faith are those that are studying - really studying the word. It’s those actively growing in their faith. They are seeking Jesus in their everyday and fighting their battles in prayer. They wake up each morning ready to take on the day’s spiritual challenges.
 
This isn’t a knock at mature brothers and sisters, but can I go out on a limb and say that sometimes faith can become dormant in someone who has been walking with Christ for a while? I’ll raise my hand in admittance to that.
 
Youth is but a mindset – one still marked with curiosity, wonder and an eagerness to learn. May we maintain a youthful spirit in Christ!