My birthday is coming up at the end of this month, and it’s always interesting to see how people react when they learn that I’m in my early 40s. When I tell people that I’m starting to feel my age and noticing the changes, people who are older have responded with, “you haven’t seen anything yet, wait until you get older.” On the other hand, when younger people learn that I’m in my 40s, I get a look of surprise and a quick reaction, “you’re 40?!” I’m starting to understand why this is called middle age. To younger people I seem old, and to older people I seem young.
But as I take another step into my 40s, I’m realizing the importance of planning ahead. And just like the reactions I get from younger and older people, I’m planning ahead as both a young and old person. As a young person, I think about the trajectory I’m on, and most importantly, if I’m headed in the direction that God wants me to go. Am I preparing today for what God wants to do in me and through me in the future?
As an older person, I’m thinking about what it means to plan ahead for the next generation. And this definitely applies to church as well. We have a saying at Lifespring, “let our ceiling be the floor of the next generation.” It’s never too early to consider what kind of foundation we are laying for the next generation.
I think Paul had a similar concern while he was traveling around, serving as a missionary and an apostle. Along with following the lead of the Holy Spirit, Paul was also raising up Timothy to succeed him. Both 1 and 2 Timothy were written by Paul to Timothy as his protege. In 1 Timothy 1:2, Paul calls Timothy his “true son in the faith.” One popular saying from Paul is 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
When I was a young person, I remember this phrase being given to me on more than one occasion. Now, I consider it a privilege to be able to speak it to our younger generation as well, that they would not be looked down upon because of their youth, but that they would understand what it means to be a godly young person through their speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
In what ways can you raise the ceiling for the next generation? It’s never too early or too late to plan ahead!