LCD 1 Youth in Mt. Talamitam, Nasugbu, Batangas
When you hear the word 'climb', it's usually acquainted with the act of "going up". But in our district youth's recently-held hiking-retreat event, it's not just about climbing the mountain itself, but reaching a different kind of summit deep within our hearts. It's more of climbing the highest peak of one's faith.
In 1 Timothy 4:12, it is written, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity".
Our district pastor always emphasized the power of youth, how much influence one youth can do to another. What's more when one youth is powerfully converted and started speaking about Christ, can't you imagine how many young lives will be inspired? Youth nowadays are presented with the same conflict - peer pressure. Either they are the ones pressuring, or they're the ones being pressured. But when we turn the tables over and started applying this 'peer pressure' in a different light, in a positive way, we can't measure how many lives will be influenced to take the right path.
All throughout our hiking-retreat event, there is so many lessons learnt, realizations we were in denial for so long... and unfolding the truth of true discovery to be closer with Christ. It has always been with us, that key of becoming closer with Him, but we're either too busy with other stuff or too lazy to take time in even looking for that 'key'. When in fact, two simple actions need to be done to unlock that door - reading the Scriptures and praying unceasingly.
The Holy Scriptures are God-breathed, as Paul emphasized in the second book of Timothy. They are from God, meaning, reading them will lead us to know so much more about Him. And if we learn more about Him, we will realize His true character and understand His plans for us. It takes time to get to know someone, right... it's the same with Jesus Christ. Reading the Bible is not an overnight thing to do, it's an everyday habit, something we must do genuinely. I know we're very curious, we're somehow clueless, but opening that special book and digesting each word carefully and wholeheartedly, we will know. And He will make Himself known.
Unity is much needed in youth todays. You can see that differences and personal insecurities put up barriers in between youth, that they tend not to reach out to others and stay in their own comfort zone. Or at times, unfortunately do things to bring other youth down. How can youth achieve unity? Just by simply tending to a relationship with each other?
The answer is simply No. It's not enough. Before one can build a strong relationship with other youth, one must be ONE with God. Unity with Christ is the first and most important starter for everything that follows next. When youth are united in Christ, they will shed off their differences and team up to do God's work. They will use any differences as strength to compliment one another... to be able to accomplish something for God. It's not about recognition nor personal achievement, it's all for the glory of God.
We are God's chosen people, His elect, His very own peculiar people. Should we wait when Satan pours out his wrath and sly tricks to destroy us... to use us, youth, against each other.. and sadly, against our church and our own families?
"The storm is coming, the storm that will try every man's faith of what sort it is. Believers must now be firmly rooted in Christ or else they will be led astray by some phase of error." Evangelism, pp. 361, 362 (1905).
If we're weak, we will be easily tossed by winds of false doctrines, coming from multitude of false preachers who will lead us into the wrong path. The enemy will use us, dear youth, to lead others to the pit of sin, to the pit of destruction. Will we wait for that day before we regret not reading the Bible? regret not praying steadfastly to the Lord? regret not abiding by His words?
Time is short. Our life here on earth is short, for we excitedly await for His soon return.
Perilous times are coming sooner than we expected.
Let us be united in Christ, just like the body parts are united for one purpose, one goal.
We can't live without God in our lives.
Prayer is like air that we need 24/7.
God's words, the Holy Scriptures is like proper nutrition that will quench our hunger and thirst for good life.. that will empower us not only physically, but spiritually.
Dear youth, let us be ONE with God.. and we can build strong relationships and be empowered for His ministry here on earth... before His second coming.
