Vol. 11 No. 6 November, 1968

 

 

 

 

ADVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (By One
of Themselves)

 

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.

THE YOUNG CHRISTIAN

 

I cannot give it up,

The little world I know!

The innocent delights of youth,

The things I cherish so! ‘Tis
true,

I love my Lord

And want to do His will,

And oh, I may enjoy the world

And be a Christian still!

 

I love the hour of prayer,

I love the hymns of praise,

I love the blessed Word that
tells

Of God’s redeeming grace,

But I am human still;

And while I dwell on earth

God surely will not grudge the
hours

I spend in harmless mirth.

 

These things belong to youth,

And are its natural right —

My dress, my pastimes, and my
friends,

The merry and the bright.

My Father’s heart is kind;

He will not count it ill

That my small corner of the
world

Should please and hold me still.

 

And yet, "outside the
camp,"

‘Twas there my Saviour died!

It was the world that
cast Him forth,

And saw Him crucified.

Can I take part with those

Who nailed Him to the tree?

And where His name is never
praised

Is there the place for me?

 

Nay, world! I turn away,

Though thou seem’st fair and
good;

That friendly outstretched hand
of thine

Is stained with Jesus’ blood.

If in thy least device

I stoop to take a part,

All unaware, thine influence
steals

God’s presence from my heart.

 

I miss my Saviour’s smile

Whene’er I walk thy ways;

Thy laughter drowns the Spirit’s
voice

And chokes the springs of
praise.

If e’er I turn aside

To join thee for an hour,

The face of Christ grows blurred
and dim

And prayer has lost its power!

 

Farewell! Henceforth my place

Is with the Lamb who died.

My Sovereign! While I have Thy
love,

What can I want beside? Thyself,
dear Lord, art now

My free and loving choice,

"In whom, though now I see
Thee not,

Believing, I rejoice!"

 

Shame on me that I sought

Another joy than this,

Or dreamt a heart at rest with
Thee

Could crave for earthly bliss!

These vain and worthless things,

I put them all aside;

His goodness fills my longing soul,

And I am satisfied.

 

Lord Jesus! let me dwell

"Outside the camp,"
with Thee.

Since Thou art there,
then there alone

Is peace and home for me.

Thy dear reproach to bear

I’ll count my highest gain,

Till Thou return, my banished
King,

To take Thy power, and reign!