20 - Dan - “The teenagers at my church don't love God like I do.”
“May God bless and be with you brother Michael, I had to listen to the recording you sent me a couple of times because of how accurate it describes my life. The spirit spoke to me through you brother, and I’ll be taking every advice you’ve given me for the sake of my soul as it is written in 1°Corinthians 9:27 “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” For now, I’ll just keep praying for the youth of my church, until the spirit of God may put his mark of approval on me so that I can be of service to others.”
Alone with God: Finding Strength in a Lukewarm World
Our young brother Dan originally wrote to me feeling the simultaneous burden of loneliness among the worldly teenage peers he saw at his church, who do not love God like He did, and the burden of wanting a ministry to do something about it.
It is commendable that our heart’s burn for Jesus in a world where many, especially your peers, seem indifferent. This isn’t about age, but about a burning heart for Christ, what A.W. Tozer called "The Burning Heart's Club." It’s a rarity in these lukewarm times. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 describes perfectly the spiritual apathy prevalent today – the constant distractions, the disinterest in God, the obsession with everything but Him. It's a pandemic of darkness, invading hearts and minds, even those who call themselves Christians.
This spiritual climate presents a serious challenge, especially for young believers facing years of navigating this darkening world. The gospel isn't spreading like wildfire; darkness is. So, what’s the answer? Cultivate your individual relationship with God. The Old Covenant focused on the collective, but the New Covenant prioritizes our individual walk with Jesus. John 14:21-23 emphasizes this: “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” It’s first and foremost about your love for Jesus, your obedience to His commands. This is where true transformation begins.
Expect seasons of isolation, times when God separates you to teach you to discern His voice above the noise. This isn't to look down on others, but to recognize the distinction of a life, set apart, lived in the fear of the Lord. Like the prophets, like Paul in prison, Moses in the desert, Joseph in the dungeon, Daniel in the lion's den, and John on Patmos, you may experience loneliness. God uses these times to draw us closer, to refine our faith. 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.” We are called to be different, set apart.
Don't try to “go into ministry” or do something for God prematurely. A ministry is not something you take upon yourself. You must be ordained of God to minister (Galatians 1:15, Hebrews 5:4). Focus on getting your own heart right with Him and abiding in Jesus Christ first. All fruitful ministry outflows from your first remaining in Christ. Dwell in Him, abide in Him, as John 15:5 emphasizes, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Get your walk solid, build a track record of faith, get some "rubber on the road." Anyone can tell people about the Bible or quote Bible verses or even preach decent sermons, but so few have any real-life spiritual experience behind what they are preaching.
Don't look for outward ministry; focus on inward transformation. You can't give what you don't have. You cannot effectively speak to others about surrender and wholehearted devotion to Christ unless you’ve experienced it yourself. Cultivate your own relationship with God. Walk with Him, learn His ways, and the rivers of living water will eventually flow through you to others.
