These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman... we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.” (Thomas Paine, The American Crisis , December 23, 1776).
The writings of Thomas Paine so strengthened the hearts of the American colonies that General George Washington had The American Crisis read to theContinental troops during the Revolution. It was a time of testing, a time of sacrifice, and indeed a “time that tried men’s souls.” The Church of God goes through times of trial as well. And we know it’s not just the parents and adults who are tried, but the youth in the Church, too. No matter what age we are, trials can compel us to prove what we may have taken for granted in the past. As the essayist said, “what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.” I’d like to challenge you to use this recent crisis in the Church to pore more deeply into personal Bible study to determine what God’s will is for you. It’s never too early to start “proving all things” (I Thessalonians 5:21) for yourself, as a youth, including the issues the Church has faced recently.
GOD’S WORK and GOD’S GOVERNMENT
Is your heart in the Work? Should you be concerned about “The Work?” One of the central issues of the recent crisis is, “Just what priority should the Work have in the Church?” If you haven’t read Dr. Meredith’s recent letters on this crisis, take the time to read them. Study the Scriptures he refers to. Read the articles that will come out explaining this issue. You need to know what priority the Work should have in your life! It’s not too early to begin to get involved in the Work. Pray fervently for the growth of the telecast and the magazine. Pray for our leaders’ health and boldness in preaching the gospel (Ephesians 6:18–19). Pour out your heart to God in prayer, as you watch world events and become aware of the problems facing our world today (Ezekiel 9:4). Contribute financially from a part-time job in tithes and offerings. As you do these things, you will be growing and developing yourself, and getting behind a global effort to warn the world of calamity and tell them of the Good News of a better one to come! What effort could be more exhilarating and personally expanding?
What about government in the Church? That’s another big issue in the recent crisis. Our attitude towards government is very critical—no matter what our age. Again, Dr. Meredith has explained that God has always used one main leader, who has the primary influence, to whom we look and follow (as he follows Christ—I Corinthians 11:1). We have a wonderful opportunity to learn government the right way. In the world around us, all too often government is NOT wielded the right way. Whoever is “chief” should have the attitude of really caring for, listening to, and helping and serving others (Matthew 20:25–28). He has to make himself a servant —a “servant leader.” Take the challenge to learn what servant leadership is for yourself. And then, in whatever situation you find yourself, baby-sitting a younger sib-ling, heading a project at school, or whatever, you can practice those principles Christ outlined for us.
Each generation, it seems, has had its unique challenges. In the Bible, Mordecai challenged Queen Esther to stand up for right, even in the face of personal danger, when he said, “Who knows whether you are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) God challenged Israel — and it stills rings true today —saying, “I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap...” (Ezekiel 22:30) Dr. Meredith recently challenged us to “stand up and be counted!” in his emergency letter, dated November 21.
This challenge is not just for your parents. It’s for YOU! Take the challenge. How deeply do you cherish what you have been given by God? It’s never too early to start proving what you’ve been taught all these years, in your own Bible study. And then, stand up, in your own personal way, and “live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:4) not as a “summer soldier” or “sunshine patriot,” but as a strong, steady, and committed youth in the Church of God!