The Youngest Global Sailors

The last few months have seen several young people tackling one of the most unusual and dangerous of all attempts – sailing around the entire world alone!

This time, just on the heels of the successful trips of two others, 16-year old Jessica Watson of Australia will captain her ‘pink’ vessel. She would be the youngest ever to sail ‘unassisted’ solo - as opposed to the recent trips that were in the ‘assisted’ category. ‘Without assistance’ means a vessel may be beached or anchored but may not receive any kind of outside help or take on board any supplies, materials or equipment during the attempt. In addition, any repairs must be made without outside resources, materials or help.

A month ago, my family and I attended a conference just outside Washing D.C. It was called ‘Do Hard Things’ and was the vision of two teen boys who had already written a book on the subject and who own one of the most popular blogs for teens on the web. Their goal is to challenge young people to resist living lives steeped in mediocrity, that are focused mostly on having non-stop fun before ‘real’ life rudely interrupts the party that is their birthright. The meeting was an eye-opener for me, to say the least.

During one of the conference breaks, my daughter had her copy of ‘Do Hard Things’ autographed by one of the Harris brothers. The verse he inscribed was from 1 Timothy 4:12, which happens to be the overall theme verse for their ministry. In the passage Paul is writing to Timothy, his young friend in years and son in the faith. Verse 12 reads, “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.”

A casual glance at this verse reveals that God expects those in His family, even if few in years, to be model citizens spiritually speaking. The challenge, despite their tender age, is to become literal role models to other Christians – at any age. The verse does not limit their performance to just those of their peers. No room for failure is allotted simply because of a short life span. If they are ‘in Christ’ they are expected to be ‘like Christ’ – period!

If God fully expects those young in faith and body to be successful examples of Christ-like behavior, what does He ask of any who are older and have also been in the faith for an extended period of time? Simply stated – He requires the same if not more! He accepts no excuses from those that have aged chronologically but have remained babies in matters of the faith? Paul describes and indicts those who do just that in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4.

Society should take a deeper look at the Jessica Watsons and Zac Sunderlands of the world who do hard things despite their lack of years and life experiences. Others, as typified by the Harris brothers, have used their natural abilities, God-given gifts and faith to achieve what most of their peers would never dream of. They are not all that different than others their age, but they are supreme examples of what vision and dedication can achieve when rightly motivated and properly channeled.

For believers, doing life’s ‘hard things’ includes being all they can be – but primarily in the spiritual zone. When service and exemplary things are sincerely attempted for Christ, they are always in the ‘assisted’ category as they are always done with the aid and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. And this will always bring the kind of results Paul shared by Paul in his letter to the young church at Galatia. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Galatians 3:23-24)

The Bible has one great overriding message for Christians - of all ages. “Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” In others words, be ready and willing to do hard things for God.

The reason is simple: It is God's priority and therefore the Christian's purpose. It is for our own good and for His own glory. Nothing else will ever matter and certainly nothing else will ever last!

Bill Breckenridge