“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
There is no better time to serve God than in the days of your youth, when your strength, mental acuity, and energy are at their peak. The older we get, the more life becomes filled with responsibilities; family, work, and the many demands that come with simply living. While these are not bad things, they often compete with our time, focus, and energy for the Lord.
I am not even old, yet I look back and see things I wish I had done before I got married and had children. Family life is one of God’s richest blessings, yet it comes with a weight that, if you are not careful, can draw your attention away from your first love and primary assignment (Revelation 2:4).
I am in my 30s, and I can already see the difference between my energy levels now and what I had in my 20s. My bones and joints seem to be developing minds of their own, sometimes deciding how much I can or cannot do. Many times I have to tell them, “Hey, I am still in charge here,” and push through to get the work done.
Little wonder Scripture urges us to serve God in the days of our youth, those days when our bodies willingly cooperate with our hearts’ desire to do more for the Kingdom.
Speaking of the many responsibilities that come with marriage, Paul understood this ‘place’ well. In 1 Corinthians 7:32–34, he writes: “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs, how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife and his interests are divided.”
He was not against marriage; rather, he understood how easily the cares of life could pull our focus from undivided devotion to God. As a mom, many times I am working with one hand and holding my little boy in the other. In fact, as I write this, he is cuddled up in my arms while I type. Other times, I am worshipping God while cooking or listening to sermons and the audio Bible on the go, because if I wait for perfect, uninterrupted moments with God, I might starve myself of spiritual food.
Jesus spoke to this truth when He told the parable of the sower. One category of seed fell among thorns, representing those who hear the word but whose growth is choked by “the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth” (Matthew 13:22). Those thorns can be anything; career ambitions, family pressures, societal expectations, or personal goals that distract us from wholehearted service to God.
For many young women (and men too), marriage is the burning desire. And with the constant cultural pressure; “When will you marry?” “Where is the man?” “I want my grandchild.” “See your sister, your cousin, your friend, they just got married”…it can feel impossible to focus on anything else. But sincerely: once that season comes, life will not slow down. Your time will not magically free up. The responsibilities will grow.
That is why now, not later, is the time to serve God. Now is the time to travel for missions, volunteer in church, lead that Bible study, pray long hours, learn new skills for the kingdom, and build habits that will sustain your walk with God in busier seasons. David served God from his youth (1 Samuel 17:33–37), and his early years of worship, courage, and obedience prepared him for the crown. Timothy’s ministry was shaped in his youth (1 Timothy 4:12), and his foundation carried him through a lifetime of service.
So…
– What is one step of service you can take for God in this season of your life, while your energy and focus are less divided?
– What responsibilities, desires, or distractions might be subtly pulling your heart away from undivided devotion to God?
– In what practical ways can you channel your time, strength, and abilities into things that will really matter to God?
– How can you use your current season to lay spiritual foundations that will keep you steadfast when life becomes busier and more demanding?
