Set An Example

            Command and teach these things. 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. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. (I Timothy 4:11-14)

         A short time after I returned home from college, I began attending a single women’s class at my church. Most of the women in the class were at least ten years old than I was. Ever since, it seems as if I’m one of the youngest in any group I’m in. I even have people questioning whether I’m old enough to be allowed to reside in our “fifty-five plus” resort. The answer is, “Yes, I am legal as a senior citizen in the park, but nowhere else.” It’s age discrimination, I tell you!

            I know that most of the old fogies (with their accompanying stereotype) mean well, but when you’re always seen as a young whippersnapper (with its accompanying stereotype,) being looked down on is just a daily reality. It’s even worse if for some reason you’re a little different.

            I’m not complaining, I’m saying is that I can relate to Timothy. Very likely, so can you. You might not be a whippersnapper. Chances are that you have something that makes you an outsider in your own eyes. Chances are there there is something about you that you think isn’t good enough, strong enough, or _______ enough.  

             Paul says that the solution isn’t to pound the lectern and say, “It’s age discrimination, I tell you!”  It’s not to go to court or get a law passed saying that you must be respected in your otherness. It’s to set such an example in your day-to-day life that you show that you are worthy of respect. Develop an admirable character, do your job conscientiously, and use your gifts.

           I’m going to change the wording of that last one to bring out an idea that I believe is consistent with Scripture. Lots of people complain that they don’t know what their gifts are, or that their gifts aren’t sexy, interesting, or impressive enough. So instead of saying “use your gift,” I’m going to suggest that we think in terms of giving our gifts.

Now we’re not talking about some superpower that makes everyone else say “Oooo, ah.” If you can vacuum a room that you see needs to be vacuumed, you’ve given a gift. If you can run an errand, write a note saying you’re praying for them, smile, hold a door… If you see anything that needs to be done and you do it, you’ve given a gift, and therefore used your gifts. Don’t neglect to do something because you can’t do Something.