Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.
This passage of scripture speaks to those who are now up and coming in years, to remember the Creator whilst growing, before the aches and pains of later years prevent them from being of the very best service to The Master, and to the human family. Now it is true that God can, and does use those of senior years in His service, for they bring to the table years of practical knowledge gained through life's experiences, and because of this they are able to point out the perils of the way to the young and inexperienced. Hence the reason why the Bible states that we should rise up before the hoary head, meaning that we should give our seniors the respect and courtesy that is their due.
However, those of older years are naturally constrained and encumbered by frailty and a lack of energy which is to be found abundantly with teenagers and youth. Many of the heroes in the Bible were called to service whilst quite young, and so they were able to render many years of faithful service to God and man. For instance, Samuel was but a child when he started serving under Eli in the temple, complete with a linen Ephod such as the priests wore, and very early in life God called him to the prophetic ministry, in which he served for many, many years. One of the advantages of remembering our Creator when we are young, is that our minds are still pliable, and therefore we can be taught the fear of the Lord before we make many serious mistakes in life, which can severely alter or restrict our usefulness in God's cause.
Those who are senior in years generally tend to be set in their ways, and with the passage of time the tendency is to become more and more of who we already are, hence the reason for the old adage which says "You cannot teach an old dog new tricks". With the passing of several generations, things do change upon the earth, and modern inventions and new ways of doing things are constantly emerging, and The Lord looks to the youth to take up the baton where the elderly have left off. That's why the aged apostle Paul encouraged the younger Timothy to make full proof of his ministry, as he prepared to teach and lead the people in the ways of God's choosing. Let's read:
1st Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
We are now living in an age of a million and one electronic gadgets and devices which require a different mindset to operate, and calls for the ability of multitasking to be efficient at doing so. As a general rule of thumb we find that our seniors do not text, nor are they generally found to be proficient with Twitter and Facebook applications, and so, because these are now some of the more prominent means by which the gospel is being spread throughout the world, God is now looking for an army of cyber warriors, who can take the triumphs of the Cross of Christ to a dying world. In our changing world, "Text" messaging (pun intended) has become the order of the day with many younger Christians, and the youth are now equipped and able to teach others in ways we never dreamed possible, only a few years ago.
It's for these and other reasons why the counsel to remember our Creator in the days of our youth becomes all the more pertinent in our day, for there is an urgent need for younger, energetic minds to help in finishing up the work of the gospel in all the world. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls upon the younger generation to step up to the plate, by making significant contributions in ministry, technology and willing service to Christ, for we are called in our youth not be self-served, but rather to be of service to God and our fellowmen. Let's read:
1st John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. 13 ... "I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14... "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!