We could hardly stand against the push of the powerful wind. People all around were hugging the sides of the New York skyscrapers, trying to remain erect. Huddling close to the wall we instinctively looked up and wondered what kept these towering man-made mountains from toppling over. What held them erect amid a force determined to bend or break everything within its path?
The next day we had our answer. Passing by the site of the new Life and Time building to be erected across from the Rockefeller Center in the heart of New York City, we noticed that the building itself was to be several stories below the surface of the ground, cut out of solid rock. Descending farther yet were huge cables or "wind anchors" embedded deeply in the rock. With a foundation like this a building could defy almost any wind. Ordinary buildings do not need to be anchored in such a way, for they are not called upon to stand out above other structures. In fact the structures around them actually protect them from the stress of wind and weather.
How like these skyscrapers are our Adventist youth! Standing out from the average crowd they are not now, neither can they ever be, part of the ordinary throng. As Seventh-day Adventist Christians they will feel the force of an evil wind, the enemy breath against them—a force of opposition determined to overthrow their stand. Those who hold the distinctive beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists will be severely tested. Some in the guise of friendship will seek by subtle reasoning to undermine the convictions of our youth. They will be called upon to compromise their faith, their standards, their morality. Peculiar circumstances could cause a wavering believer to question the truth he once knew. Jesus said that a man's foes will be those of his own household (Matt. 10:36). Satan will appear as an "angel of light" and "his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness" (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Knowing that he has but a short time, the enemy of all righteousness will endeavor to deceive by great signs and wonders. And so keen will be the deception that only those who know and love God's Word will be protected.
It is never easy to be out of harmony with the majority. To stand for Bible principles in spite of the appeal of the world, to eat and dress differently from the crowd, and to be found in the house of God on the true Sabbath day in contrast with the great majority of Christians, puts a test upon our youth. But such tests as these develop character.
Our youth must be helped to realize that courage is needed to ignore the sharp winds of mockery, ridicule, reproach, laughter, and vilification. What a sacred responsibility is ours to undergird these leaders of tomorrow! We must give them a foundation able to withstand the assaults of the present if they are to stand the storms of the future. May their "wind anchors" be firmly embedded in the Rock, Christ Jesus.
"The time of temptation has come to our world, and the young must be labored for, hunted for, and brought into the fold." -ELLEN G. WHITE in The Review and Herald, May 9, 1899.
The Missionary Volunteer organization of our youth is a powerful potential in the growth of the church of God. Fruitful results will come to the pastor as he enthusiastically associates himself with the Young People's Society. No man can be fully successful in his ministry who does not have a rich love and a sincere devotion for the youth of his flock. Sympathetic understanding is important if we would win and hold our youth. What a tragedy it would be for a minister to expend his strength in preparing sermons styled only for the older members of his flock to the neglect of establishing the youth. They especially need their spiritual lives enriched. Some of the most difficult to train now will be the leaders of the future.
This is more than a pastor's job; the whole church must be vigilant in its responsibility toward the youth. "There is a special work to be done for our young people by those bearing responsibility in local churches throughout the conferences. When the church officers see promising youth who are desirous of fitting themselves for usefulness in the Lord's service, . . . they have a duty to perform in studying how to give help and encouragement."—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 526.
"Altogether too little attention has been given our children and youth.... The work that lies nearest to our church members is to become interested in our youth."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 196.
"Only the power of God can save our children from being swept away by the tide of evil. The responsibility resting upon parents, teachers, and church members, to do their part in co-operation with God, is greater than words can express."—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 166.
These are the closing hours of history. A special message to the world is our task. God grant that we may inspire and develop the youth by love, precept, and example, thus aiding them to become spiritual skyscrapers, undeceived by craft and guile, unmoved by ridicule, unintimidated by threats, or frightened by slander. As ministers let us be wise enough to utilize and skillfully direct their youthful vigor, warmth, and fresh enthusiasm.
Above all, our youth must know the Master as a personal Friend, a worthy Counselor, Companion, Guide, and Saviour. Given the opportunity, they will desire to share the minister's beautiful personal relationship with Christ, to know Him as does their pastor, not as an inspiring memory or empty abstraction, but as One to be trusted, loved, and followed forever.
When the youth love their pastor, want to be with him, desire to hear every sermon he presents—not because he is a good ball player or an amiable man, but rather because his life is winsomely radiant with the love of Jesus, his sermons rich in spiritual exposition, his grasp and understanding of human problems realistic, his optimistic enthusiasm for Christian service contagious —then and then only will the pastor have the assurance from the great Shepherd that he is a true undershepherd, and able to nurture all the flock.
A. C. F.
