Kneel Young

Kneel Young

Tara felt frustrated. Even though she’d roller-skated brilliantly since she was three, the six-year-old couldn’t get the hang of ice skates. Her ankles bent in. Her elbows pointed out. She kept landing on her backside. As she picked herself off the ice one more time, she no doubt flashed back to one year earlier, when she sat in her living room, enthralled by the figure skaters at the Calgary Olympic Games. Her dad had built a podium out of boxes, and as Katarina Witt received her gold medal, Tara stepped onto those boxes with visions of Olympic glory swirling in her head. Yet here she was, her first time on ice, as wobbly as a newborn giraffe.

Pretty soon, blades became less of a problem for the talented young roller skater. In fact, she was getting pretty good. Really good. She practiced long and hard. Some people wondered if she had enough seasoning to compete at a high level. But on this date in 1998—at the age of fifteen years, eight months, and ten days—Tara Lipinski became the youngest Olympic figure skater ever to win a gold medal. In fact, commentator Scott Hamilton noted, “For one who looks so young, she skates with great maturity.” That night in Nagano, Japan, an effervescent, four-foot-ten-inch teen proved that youthful enthusiasm could more than hold its own against experience and “seasoning.”

In a letter to his companion Timothy, the apostle Paul encouraged his friend: “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young” (1 Timothy 4:12). Paul knew that society tends to underestimate youth. He may have been guilty of it himself at times (see 1 Corinthians 13:11). But he also knew that God has plans for the youngest among us. The Lord called out to a boy named Samuel. He helped young David fell a giant. And Jesus relied on a child’s lunch to feed thousands of people. It’s never too early to partner with the Lord . . . and go for the gold!

Daddy-Daughter Time

In addition to encouraging his young friend in 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul challenged him to live a life worthy of respect. To be an example. No lowered expectations because he was “just a kid.” How can your life be an example in the areas of love, faith, and purity? In what ways can our culture value or devalue young people?

What’s The Word?

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.   1 Timothy 4:12