βTherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lordβ (I Corinthians 15:58).
Probably the most commonly asked question of a seven year old is, βWhat do you want to be when you grow up?β Usually the little one is so frozen with fear that the one inquiring must resort to a form of interrogation: βa doctor, lawyer, policeman; I know, a fireman!β These are noble professions indeed, but why are children almost never encouraged to pursue the ministry? Is the Lordβs work any less meaningful? Are the callings of pastor, evangelist, missionary and Christian counselor unworthy of our childrensβ consideration? Parents do well to remember that there is no higher calling in life than the Lordβs service.
Sadly, our young people are so preconditioned to aspire to worldly professions that the ministry is not even a viable option. Timothyβs mother had no way of knowing whether or not God would call her son into full-time service. But to her credit, she trained Timothy from a small child in the Scriptures to prepare him for the things of the Lord (II Tim. 1:5). Shortly after his conversion to Christ, he was called into the ministry where he delivered many from a Christless eternity (II Tim. 1:6).
During those formative years, why not encourage our young to seek the face of the Lord and to pray about what area of Christian service they may be used?Β source
