Mark 10:13-16 13Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.15Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. 

Young people have a natural energy and enthusiasm.  They add a level of excitement to any endeavor through their inquisitive nature and their desire to experience their environment by exploring the world around them.  They can help us reflect on our past and can provide hope for our future.  An active youth group in the church can reflect a level of involvement and commitment by their families but it generates additional excitement through their participation and their activities.

It has been said, “here’s how you change the world – you invest in the next generation and make them better than you were.”  We can all invest in the lives of our young people; not just our children but all of our young people.  They are not only the future, but they are the present.  There is so much that each of us can do.  We can encourage.  We can be a mentor.  We provide an example by the life that we lead; they may not listen to us, but they watch everything we do.  We can be a teacher, inside a classroom or outside of a classroom.  We can be a friend.  No matter what we do, we can ‘be the person we needed when we were younger.’

Steve Farrar, in his book “Anchorman”, says that our influence on children can have an impact for over a century.  Our influence has an impact through the next generation, but also to their children and even their grandchildren.  Let’s make the world a better place today, tomorrow and a century from now, by having a positive influence on our young people right now.