I greet you in Jesus’ precious name! It is Tuesday morning, the 22nd of August, 2023, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today.

We start in the First Book of Timothy 4:12: 

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

I just love being around young people! “Why?” you might ask - aah, because their hearts are soft, because they have unrestricted dreams and expectations. They tend to see the very best in people. They are not cynical. What does the word, “cynical” mean? Well, according to the Oxford Dictionary, it means believing that people always act from selfish motives. Young people always believe that the glass is half-full and not half-empty.

Just yesterday, I went for a ride on my mountain bike with my grandsons. They range in age from 8 years old to 16 years old. Hearing them laugh, talk, joke, and just enjoy life was like a tonic for me. No ulterior motives, no selfishness, so refreshing - you know, it brings a tear to my eye, actually. My oldest grandson just came up alongside the youngest one when he was taking a bit of strain going up a hill, and he just gently put his hand on the little boy’s back and pushed him up the hill on his bike. Please folks, don’t ever write off young people. Please don’t be negative in their presence, don’t be bitter in front of them, don’t restrict them. You see, they will still be here when you and I are long gone. Help them to realise their God-given potential. 

When I started preaching, I had only known the Lord for three months, that’s all, and some beautiful older people gave me a kickstart in the little church in which I was saved. They allowed me to preach from the pulpit. When I started preaching, they just loved me through it all, and when I look back, I think I must have been preaching apostasy, heresy and all the other “..sy’s”, but they just loved me. What did I bring to the table? Definitely not theology, not anything academic. Maybe what I brought to the table was excitement, innocence, purity and most of all, love. Yes, youthfulness that’s what we need.  

Have a blessed day, love the young people!
Goodbye.