With each passing day, with every new pain, each time I comb my gray hair, bend over to tie my shoes, or conduct the funeral of an old friend, I am reminded that my (our) time on earth is limited and growing shorter everyday. Soon, for good or bad, we must hand the reins over to the next generation. And only time will tell what the result shall be.
Pastor, Paul Chappell wrote, “In December of 1874, in his paper The Sword and Trowel, Charles Spurgeon penned this challenge to young people: “You will not have another youth: soon it will not be in your power to offer to God your beauty and freshness. One occasionally sees in certain places announcements such as this, ‘Smart young men wanted for the Guards.’ Well, I am a recruiting sergeant. My colours are crimson, and I am eager to enlist both young men and women. I would be glad if I could do a bit of business and gather up recruits for Christ. Young men and women, step forward and fill the places of your fathers and mothers! We cannot have a better stock; none could be more welcome than your fathers’ sons and daughters.”
Service to God is a lifetime calling for Christians, and it should begin when we are young. It is said that after one meeting Moody reported “two and a half people” had been saved. When someone asked if he meant two adults and one child he said, “No. Two children and one adult. The children have a full life to serve God.” We should be teaching and training our children and grandchildren the vital urgency of doing what they can in the strength of youth for the cause of Christ.
Hannah, who had been barren for many years, prayed for a son and promised him to God’s service. When he was still very young, she took Samuel to Eli the priest where he began a life of fruitful service to God. The Bible says, “But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod” (1 Samuel 2:18). The church today needs a new generation of young people to rise up and dedicate their lives to serving God.”
