I can well remember the days
when I approached my teens. I was filled with excitement by the adventures that
I had heard one enjoys as a teenager. I waited rather impatiently for the day
when I would enter this glorious age group and be with the "in" crowd.
On my thirteenth birthday I went around with a smile on my face and an air of
pride. In fact, I was so proud of myself I felt that I no longer needed to
listen to the counseling of those older than I. This is where I made my biggest
mistake. I hope that the advice I shall give will be helpful to those entering
their teens, and that they will follow it.

 

As one approaches his teens, he
should stop and think what it really means. It is a time for him to think of
seriously, for this period in his life will mold his future character. It is an
age of responsibilities, hard work, frustrations, failures, and victories. It
is during this period that the men and women of tomorrow determine what they
will be, and what type of lives they will lead.

 

To those who are entering their
teens, I should say that if you have not accepted Christ as your Saviour, do so
now, for without His love and guidance, you will never live the life you
should. He can be your guide, counselor, and comforter in your hours of sorrow
or joy. To embark upon this new era of your life without Him is unwise. Enter
your teens with the comforting thought and knowledge that no matter what
confronts you, you will have Him by your side.

 

The teens is a time when you may
decide your vocation, and you can never be happy unless you choose the right
one. If you ask Him to show you what to do, He will do so.

 

Every day as you look around
you, you see and hear of teenagers who have run into trouble. In fact, some
adults look upon all teenagers as "juvenile delinquents." They think
teenagers of today have become obsessed with doing everything which they know
is wrong, and with shunning the wise counseling of their elders. Make sure as
you enter your teens that you are not branded as one of these. Be in subjection
to those who are older than you, who are trying to help you, to the law, to
your conscience, and especially, to God. If you are in subjection to God, He
will help you to control your wrong desires, and to keep out of the temptation
of evil things.

 

I well remember when I entered
my teens, I lacked the love of God in my heart. My entire life was void. I
lived from day to day enjoying the pleasures that life had to offer — or
thinking that I enjoyed them; but I was not satisfied. Then some time later I
accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour. My whole burden was lightened and I no
longer had an emptiness in my heart. All my troubles and frustrations could be
taken to Him with the knowledge that He would help me. I no longer desired to
do wrong, and I was happy. So from my own experience, I should advise you to
make this decision before you enter your teens.

 

You may
think what I have said above is foolish; I did, too, when I was your age, but
now (at seventeen) I realize my folly. This is why I have written this short
message to you, in the earnest hope that you will enter this era of your life
which leads on to adulthood with something solid to lean on. In closing, I will
remind you that I have been through those first few years, and so I know. Make
the Lord Jesus Christ the center of your life, and you will never regret it.