Nathan isn’t old enough to drive a car. He isn’t even in High School yet as he’s 11 years old. But when it comes to having an impact on a 29-year-old pastor, he surely has done that, in spite of his youthful age.
1 Timothy 4:11 says “let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, life, love, faith and purity.”
Nathan might not know this yet, but he has had a strong impact on my life. This kid has set an example for me of how to serve cheerfully in the local church. He arrives early every Sunday morning to set up with a smile. When he gets there he immediately gets right to work no dilly-dallying around. He sets up classrooms, makes the coffee, helps with the welcome center, puts up chairs, wheels in carts, and does a hand full of other things to make sure we are organized for who God brings us. Not to mention, he does all of this while talking to people to see how they are doing.
I’ve been thinking a lot about Nathan lately and find myself praising God for how he has used him in my life. When it comes to who God chooses to use in His movement, there are no age restrictions. I hope this little story of a young boy impacting a 29-year-old pastor will encourage you; and challenge you to open your eyes to how God moves through all different types of people – even 11 year olds.
