This culture, even in Christian circles, consistently teaches that the 14-19 (or ‘teenage’) years are years of rebellion, heart ache, strained, isolated relationships, struggle and failure. We’re taught that, in those years, we’ll probably develop bad habbits, a strained relationship with our parents, and a self absorbed approach to life. We’re taught that there’s a high chance we’ll do drugs, loose our virginity, and make many poor choices.

Why? Why do we accept this?

We’re told that if we manage to scrape through into our twenties without going through this that were lucky, or worse, that we’ll probably go through a ‘delayed rebellion’. As though rebellion and self destruction is an essential stage of life.

Why have we bowed and surrendered to failure?!

This isn’t what God wants for us. Failure is not His heart for us. He allows us to fall so that we’ll become gloriously more aware of our need of Him, but He doesn’t desire that we fail.

The teenage years can be the years where we devote our lives and time to God. Without the responsibilities and distractions of adult life, we’re free to pursue God in a unique and precious way. We can grow in our love for God, devote ourselves to our parents, and selflessly serve others.

We were made for more.

While God does allow us to fail so that we can come and cling to Him (as evidence of His wild and intense love) , society’s failure does not have to define us. He defines us. Not a culture that says we’ll be egotistical, selfish, flesh driven nuisances to society; a Father who says that we can be selfless, humble, loving servants who live with integrity, honour and respect for the people around us.

God’s plans for us are better than the world’s – let’s choose His.

He can rescue us (and has me) from every trial and struggle – it’s not luck that protects us – it’s an ever watching, jealous, loving Daddy.

We are not called to live in failure, or to surrender to it. But instead, when we see it banging on the door, use it to help us run into the Fathers arms: our only place of safety and refuge.

The only One we can depend on.

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Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
I John 3:1 NKJV

“I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”
II Corinthians 6:18 NKJV

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
I Timothy 4:12 NKJV

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Deuteronomy 14:2 NKJV

There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.
I Corinthians 7:34 NKJV

But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.
I Corinthians 7:32 NKJV

“I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord .
Hosea 2:19‭-‬20 NKJV

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33 NKJV

Trust in the Lord , and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord , And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord , Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.
Psalms 37:3‭-‬6 NKJV

Deuteronmy 31:6 1 Corinthians 10:13