I have a former church member

named Hoke who was like me "vertically challenged."

Many Sundays when I greeted

him at church, he'd give me the same word of encouragement: "we may

be short, but we're wound tight!"

That was Hoke's way of saying

"dynamite comes in small packages." Or, "we may be small,

but God can still use us."

On the eve of high school graduation,

let's translate that truth for our up and coming graduates: we may

be young, but God can use us, also.

There's a lot of life ahead,

filled with enormous excitement, great opportunities and tremendous potential.

How do we make the most of this rite of passage?

As you start the next chapter

of your life, recall how God used the young to do great things for Him.

The experiences of these biblical young people give us some timely principles

for this stage of life.

Paul wrote to young Timothy,

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young (don't let

anyone despise your youth), but set an example for the believer in speech,

in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."

God used Timothy to prove His

strength and to set a good example. You're never too young to set a

good example, because you never know who's watching.

God used Josiah, a king who

did "what was right in the eyes of the Lord." He was eight-years-old

when he took the throne of Judah. He reigned for 31 years and stands out

as one of the few good kings in the history of the nation. Whatever

you do from this point forward, make sure it is right in

the eyes of the Lord .

God used Mary, the wife of

Joseph, who was probably just a teenager when she gave birth to Jesus.

The striking thing about Mary's life is that she opened herself completely

to God in deep devotion and willingness. She had a submissive spirit,

a spirit that says, "God, whatever you want from me, I want to come

under your authority." Have a submissive spirit that allows God

to be in complete control of your life.

God used David, whom scripture

said was "only a boy," to kill the godless Philistine Goliath

who was terrorizing the nation of Israel. David had only a simple slingshot

and five small stones. Placed in God's hands, this little weapon revealed

what a mighty God we have. You're never too young to experience the

mighty hand of God upon your life. Place your hand in God's hand.

Samuel heard and obeyed the

voice of the Lord when he was a young boy. He gave God his life and served

the Lord faithfully until he died. You're never too young to hear God

speak to you and direct your life. Serve God faithfully.

Joseph was seventeen when his

brothers sold him into slavery. Yet despite this and other hardships,

he remained faithful to the Lord all his life. He proved to be a man of

integrity, honesty, and great character. Someone said, "Integrity

is what we are when no one is looking." You're never too young

to be a person of integrity. Be honest and upright.

God used a small boy who gave

his lunch to Jesus. It was only five loaves and two fish, but Jesus multiplied

it to feed the 5,000 and to demonstrate that He alone is the bread of

life.

Never forget, Jesus said, "I

am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and He who

believes in me shall never thirst." You're never too young to

give what you have to Jesus, and allow Him to multiply it.

Graduates, we wish you well.

Never forget that God uses the small to accomplish the big. Maybe that's

why God used a baby to change the world!

Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor,

McDonough Road Baptist Church in Fayetteville. The McDonough Road family

invites you to join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and

worship at 10:55 a.m. The church is located at 352 McDonough Road, just

down the street from the soccer fields.

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