Being a Christian in your 20's

No one said being a Christian was easy... especially in your twenties!

Living and serving Jesus whilst finding your way in the work world; graduating from University and trying to navigate relationships both platonic and romantic... it even just sounds like hard work. Let me tell you, it is! I know, you probably don't want to hear that but it is the reality I have faced and pretty much everyone around me has too. Your twenties are a time when you come into your own and you become a 'real' adult (although honestly sometimes I would much rather be a kid still). I wanted to just go over some of the pitfalls I have already encountered whilst in my early twenties and also to encourage you in your journey.

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

The Pitfalls:

Work or Service?

It is hard to balance the demands of work and serving God, when do you say yes or no, and who do you say it to? I have learned that, work is work and it has no bearing on where I go in the end when I die. Although my salvation is not based on my service to God, it makes a difference as to how committed I am. I have learned that it's better to say yes to serving God in whatever form that it comes in. It is a long story but I am no longer able to work full time due to my health but it opened my whole world up to serving God in ways I never thought possible. So, don't get caught up in work. Don't work yourself into the ground or skip church to work. Make the most of your faith , work is always there but the opportunity to serve God can pass by.

Friends or Faith? This one isn't so hard for me but I felt as though I had no friends for a long while and that in itself was hard. When you get older, the way you live your life bears a lot more weight on the people around you. I found that I had less friends because I put value into my faith and not in the world. I encourage you to not choose friends, for fleeting moments of joy but choose God for sustained joyfulness and when you realise living for God is so much better than a season without friends, you will find its not that lonely.

I can do this on my own...right?

WRONG! My goodness, did I think I could do it all now! I had a lovely rude awakening and I had no choice but to lean on God for a long, long time of waiting and painful transition. Just because you are not a child doesn't mean you don't need God or the help of others. Being a christian is about helping each other to live for God and helping others learn about him. We can't do it without him, save yourself the heartache and give it to God!

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) 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.

Encouragement:

As much as I have made my share of mistakes, God has somehow still worked in me and I am now facing the most responsibility and leadership in roles I never thought I would take on. Now, as I begin preaching, sharing my knowledge or experiences, leading young people etc. I have faced people who do not think I am good enough or that I don't know enough. Let me just tell you something, I have not gone to school to be taught how to serve God, I have not been the person everyone thought would be a great leader but here I am. If God can see it, then believe him! Regardless of age or how much you think you know. Learn from those who inspire you, get as much knowledge as you can whilst you take on these roles, be careful not to be too big for your boots but be confident in what God has called you for.

We are young but we are just as able as any and God has such a plan for me and for you. I hope that in this wild journey, these posts can be an encouragement to you.

God Bless,

Becky.

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