Teenage years need not be years of confusion . . . you can have order in your life. YEARS OF CONFUSION
by a Teenager
I f y o u a r e between the ages of 13 and 19, then you are one of the millions of teen-agers who are now establishing what they are to be, and what their world is to be, in the future. And I, as a fellow teen-ager, want to share with you something that may not only change your remaining teen years but can be the greatest thing in your life. I KNOW that what I am going to say can really make your life worthwhile if it is applied. We, as teen-agers, are now planning ahead. We are now choosing vocations that we may follow for the rest of our lives. But we are also shaping ourselves into the kinds of people we will be; physically, mentally and spir itually. It is this spiritual maturity about which I want to speak. The teen-age years are often referred to as the “ years of confusion.” And they are for many, although confu sion at any time of life is not necessary. The Bible says: “ Let all things be done decently and in order” (I Corin thians 14:40). YOU can have order in your life, if you will open your heart to the Master of Order and let Jesus Christ control your actions and thoughts. Along with confusion goes impatience. How impatient we teen-agers are! But we shouldn’t be. The Apostle Paul tells us to be content in any condition or under any circumstances: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be con ten t’ (Philippians 4:11). Calm, trusting pa tience and confidence in Christ will lead to fuller, richer and deeper rewards than impatience. As a teen-ager, you are probably prone to doubt every thing—or almost everything. You may doubt the judg ment of your parents, the sincerity of your friends, the security of your family—even God Himself. A life full of doubt can be full of nothing else, for it dispels all
trust. But again God’s Word speaks to us when we read, in Hebrews 10:35: “ Cast not away therefore your con fidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” To trust Jesus Christ is to find real, true confidence and assurance. He has promised to bear all of our bur dens in this life and give us a better life hereafter. The desire of every teen-ager is to be “ somebody,” to be known and remembered for “ something.” Some try to achieve remembrance by the way they dress, by the way they talk, or act or live, or even by the way they drive. Some succeed by being branded as “hoods,” by having their names engraved on police blotters, by going to prison, or by ending their lives in a twisted hunk of steel. Teen-ager, hear what God has to say about being remembered. In Acts 10:4 He says to you: “ Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.” Isn’t it much better to be remembered by God than to be enshrined in the highest place man can build? The memorials of men fall and crumble; but, if you have God’s seal, His “ brand” on your life, your name will be written in the Book of Life, you will spend eternity with Him, and you will end this life by hearing the words: “ W ell done, thou good and faithful servant ’ (Matthew 25:21), as God welcomes you to everlasting life. With Christ, life is full of REAL peace and joy. He will guide you in all you do and His Holy Spirit will dwell in your heart. Come to Him in humble repentance and belief. Fellow teen-ager, the answer to the problems that face you can only be found in Christ. Why not accept Him into your life now and find real peace and joy? —Jim Smith Available in tract form from the American Tract Society— 513 West 166th Street, New York 32, N.Y.
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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