Absorbing God’s Word
“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
Applying God’s Word
The disciple Paul is telling a young disciple, Timothy, to counter any skepticism from older people by setting a mature example for them.
Last Sunday, a young Reverend in our church began his sermon by sharing that his grandmother had died the night before. Smiling, he said, “It’s okay because she lived to the ripe old age of 99.” He laughed briefly and then he went quiet, which probably seemed like an eternity to him.
As he tried to compose himself, the silence radiated across the church and you could hear a pin drop. It lasted about a minute or two, until Louise and I began to applaud. That inspired everyone to applaud. It was a very powerful moment.
When the applause stopped, the young reverend stepped away from the pulpit and handed his sermon to a deacon to read. There wasn’t a doubt in any parishioner’s mind that his grandmother meant the world to him and that he loved her.
Accounting of God’s Word
Have I been blessed by loving grandparents? Would they be proud of me?