Happy Sabbath friends! Have you ever felt like people have looked down on you for your age, or have you ever felt fearful to speak up fearing that what you were going to say wasn’t good enough? In my case, I have usually always been the youngest in my workplace, friendships, etc. and the biggest struggle I had to face was people looking down on me, or assuming I didn’t know anything because they had more years on me. The biggest thing that was always on the forefront of my mind was that I had to prove to everyone that I am mature, wise, good enough, etc. because I truly felt that I was being looked down on because of the age I was. If you have ever felt like people have looked down on you, in any case, not just your age, then this story is for you. I hope it blesses you as it did me.

In the book of Job, there is a man named, Elihu. He is young in years and everyone else around him was older than him. After Job finished speaking and the three friends around him stopped answering him, Elihu was upset by the words that Job and the three friends have spoken about God, but he was fearful to speak up because of his age. Elihu felt that his words wouldn’t mean much, or wouldn’t be good enough. Elihu overcame that fear and decided to let everything out that he wanted to say. So much so that he went on for about five chapters in the book of Job! Elihu was speaking the Words of God so much so that after he was done, that is when the Lord spoke to Job, and that is also when Job’s eyes were truly opened to the love of the Lord and repented for his transgressions (Job 32-42).

I am sure we have had moments in our lives where we wanted to speak up, but we were fearful if what we would say would be good enough for others to hear. Believe me, I have been there and it breaks my heart every time fear grabs ahold of me because everyone deserves to hear the Good News of Christ Jesus! Everyone has the wisdom and knowledge to speak up and spread the Good News of Jesus no matter your age!

At the beginning of this message, I mentioned that I would feel like I had to prove myself to the people around me that I am mature, wise, good enough, etc. Well guess what…with God, you do NOT have to prove yourself to Him. He already knows your heart. He already knows what you have to offer to the world.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There is a bible verse that always stands out to me whenever I feel down on myself because of my age, or whenever I don’t feel good enough.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No matter your age. No matter where you are in life. Whatever the situation may be, you are worthy of setting an example for others around you! You have been chosen by our Heavenly Father to share the Good News to as many people as possible! Don’t let the devil get in your mind and tell you that you can’t, or that you are not good enough. It is not true! God sees you, and He made you! Every single one of us has a purpose in God’s eyes as He already mapped out the rest of your life that’s ahead of you.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As much as it is good to speak up and not let fear grab ahold of us, we need to also remember that actions speak louder than words. We can influence and witness to others by simply just our actions and the way that we live our lives. Set the example that our Heavenly Father sets for us in our lives, and in the Word of God.

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I pray that whoever is reading this is blessed with the reminder that God loves them and has a purpose for them and their lives. I pray that we won’t let the influence of satan cloud of minds with lies telling us that we are not good enough, or that we’re too young, or not mature enough to spread the Good News of Jesus. I pray that we continue to find ways to spread the Good News, and that we not only do so with our words, but our actions too. God be with us always.

Amen.