I remember a question that was asked by a preacher to his congregation.He asked the question, what are people today looking for?The answers to the question came in various manner because for some people, they are looking for material wealth, prosperity, a home to live in and others for someone to trust and love.
The young people in our day and in our Church have a spiritual quest that comes along every year. As they grow, they are looking for that which brings them fulfillment for their future. Some would rather not choose material wealth because they feel that these would not last. Others would have the same attitude towards drugs and alcohol because they have seen and experienced the outcomes of drugs and alcohol in other peoples’ lives. People’s lives are destroyed by drugs and alcohol.
In the Church of today the young people look for good mentors and spiritual guidance. I have known of some young people who take the spiritual avenue through the Church to go on religious camping during the summer holidays. These go-out and spend two weeks away from their homes learning good morals, studying the bible, and living together as Christian brothers and sisters. They are always in the hands of good adult guides who will always see to their needs, teach and give them good counsel.
In my opinion, our youths deserve this experience to meet to their quest in the Church today therefore it is the task of the Church and Church Councils to focus attention on the youths in the church and give them guidance, good counsel and an experience to live in a good Christian environment. In doing this, there will be a sure hope for the church in future.
Looking at the scriptures the book of proverbs has a lot of wise sayings and good counsel which is beneficial to young people. The text written by Solomon the King of Israel and the son of King David who was a wise man in ways of God, wrote the book to be able to share the wisdom that God gave him. I will love to make a reference to Proverbs 1:8-19.
“Listen my son to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, come along with us let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, lets lay wait for some harmless soul; lets swallow them alive like those who go down to the pit, we will get all sorts of valuable things and all fill our homes with plunder, throw in your lot with us and we will share a common purse. My son do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths, for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood”.
The scriptural admonition is very helpful today in the midst of all that we see young people going through. We have known of the “bumpster syndrome” in the Gambia and also the “back way” bad counsel. All these have no good ends in themselves but rather disaster. Therefore the young people of our day and era should learn to be patient, contented and hopeful. As Christians they should not measure themselves to the standards of this world and people who do not know Christ Jesus. They should model their lives according to Christian teachings.
