I was saddened today when one of the young people whom I care deeply for, explained how she had a series of events happen to her. A health problem, a child problem, a spouse problem, a car problem, a budget problem…one after another befell her. She’s not even 21 yet. All this responsibility on her shoulders. My empathy and compassion met with prayer for her this morning.
The Bible speaks directly about the difficulties in the maturation process. There is no doubt why Elders and the elderly are to be celebrated and honored. They have come through all the situations like my young friend has come through. Some have failed and ended their lives in a moment which is un-correctable. Others live by the notion, "what doesn’t kill you, makes you better."
In Acts 2:17, Peter quotes the prophet Joel (2:28), "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." Remembering that on the Day of Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples were His contemporaries. They were within a year or so in age. So, these were considered "young" men by their standards. In fact it is quite possible that when some of the disciples began their ministry with the Lord, they were in their mid-twenties.
The Lord reminded Peter of Joel’s prophecy to begin the great sermon that initiated the birth of the Church! It is simple to understand that the young men, the disciples, had indeed seen visions: Angels, Jesus’ Transfigured, Moses, Elijah, the Holy Spirit as a Dove, and others. These young men, had become totally convinced of the divine nature of God through these visions. The very definition of the Hebrew word for "vision" is: divine communication with man.
We have all seen young people get excited about things, which in a few days, months, or years, lose their luster and sometimes are even forgotten about. That’s the skeptical criticism of youth. But, a vision, of direct communication with God…no, that stays with a person the rest of their lives. As it did with the 11 faithful original disciples.
That type of conviction, compels others. We admire young preachers, right out of seminary. Excitement, and zeal for preaching the truth are theirs! People want to get excited for them, and with them. It is exactly what happened on the Day of Pentecost. A young man, Peter, and his "posse" of 10 witnesses, all with the exhuberance of youth, brought about a multi-thousand revival which was undergirded by the direct presence and actions of the Holy Spirit Himself. Their youthful excitement attracted many people to gather ’round and listen. A dynamic part of seeing "visions" as a youthful individual.
But, the strangest part of this scripture is the part about old men will dream dreams. Joel’s usage of this word pointed toward dreams with prophetic meaning. Prophetic meaning from God to the old man. That is the role of the "Seasoned Citizen" in the Church. With years of visions under his belt, he is now able to dream dreams which a young person may or may not be able to understand their prophecy/teaching. Why? Because a young man does not have the experience of years. A young person does not have the foundational life understandings which only come through years and years of experience with life on earth, and life with God.
As a young person, I would read Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I would trust those words because of the testimony of the one who wrote them. I trusted Paul. Why did I trust Paul? Because Paul wrote them as an older, mature christian who had not only life experience, but also visions and now dreams!
Similarly, like my young friend, when I was young, I only had faith in what I read. But, now as a mature christian, I have the foundational experience to be able to testify to her and to everyone, that Romans 8:28 is true. How do I know this? Because of years of experience with its testing. It has been right 100% of the time. Now, not only do I simply trust it on faith because of Paul, but I trust it on personal experience.
So, therefore, my young friends, "…do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:11, 12 NIV) Be strong in your life as an example of the faith that has come before you. Be confident of the blood of the martyrs who gave their lives so you might have God’s perfect Word. Enjoy the privilege of youth. It is yours to enjoy,"…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ." (Eph 4:13 NIV)
