Miller enjoyed freedom to preach this message, but the people of a nation in Europe were less fortunate. The clergy were opposed, and forced the government to imprison those who proclaimed it. But children being under age escaped the penalty of state law, and in the power of God they preached the solemn warning.
   In humble dwellings, people assembled to hear the prophetic Good News. "The child-preachers themselves were mostly . . . not more than six or eight years of age; and while their lives testified that they loved the Saviour, and were trying to live in obedience to God's holy requirements, they ordinarily manifested only the intelligence and ability usually seen in children of that age. When standing before the people, however, . . . they were moved by an influence beyond their own natural gifts. Tone and manner changed, and with solemn power they gave the warning of the judgment, employing the very words of Scripture: 'Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.' They reproved the sins of the people, not only condemning immorality and vice, but rebuking worldliness and backsliding, and warning their hearers to make haste to flee from the wrath to come." ^[1]
   Could it happen again?
   "But aren't youth too young to do anything great for God?"
   In every age God has called youth to do a special work for Him. He told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
   Keenly aware of his inexperience, Jeremiah replied, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."
   But the Lord answered, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you" (Jer. 1:5-7).
   God has a plan for your life as surely as He did for Jeremiah's. The same Word which made Jeremiah fearless in the face of imprisonment and persecution will strengthen you to accomplish the task He gives you.
   God asks only for a willing, believing heart.
   Do you believe He has called you to a special work for Him?
   Are you willing to follow Him wherever He might lead?
   "What if God asks me to do something difficult?" This is a me-centered question that all of us ask! But let's take our minds off ourselves, and reflect on the life of Jesus. Did God ask Him to do something difficult in sending Him to save us?
   As we look at the early years of Jesus, we find His childhood was like ours. He didn't tell His friends tales about the glories of heaven, because He didn't remember heaven. The Bible tells us He was "made like his brethren" (Heb. 2:17).
   As He "increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52), His knowledge of His heavenly Father grew because of His study of the Bible. He was blessed with a wonderful mother, who chose to home-school her son, teaching Him valuable lessons from Scripture.
   His early years were difficult, for He often endured the ridicule of His brothers and neighbor children, who taunted Him for not joining in their sinful practices. To them His example had to be a constant rebuke.
   Just how much Mary told Jesus of the miracle of His birth we don't know. We do know He didn't understand His Father's purpose for His life until His twelfth year. For the first time, He joined His parents and other Israelites in their once-a-year trip to Jerusalem for the Passover feast.
   At the temple He questioned the Jewish rabbis about the coming Messiah. Having studied Daniel, He knew the Messiah's coming was near. As He watched a priest slay a perfect young lamb on the altar and saw its blood trickle down the side, it dawned on Him--He must be "the Lamb of God" that would take away the sin of the world. He must be the Sacrifice to which all the sacrifices pointed. His death must be the first "real" death in the history of the universe--a "second death" with no hope of resurrection (in Luke 8:52 Jesus refers to the first death as sleep).
   His young heart must have been rent with anguish as He realized that Someone must bear the sins of the whole world (Isa. 53:6). What was lost "in Adam"--the salvation of all mankind--He must redeem in Himself (Rom. 5:18). But the Father did not force Him; at the age of 12 Jesus chose voluntarily to die for us. Why?
   His heavenly Father had given Him up in love--a gift to the human race forever. No wonder He later said in His ministry, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son . . ." (John 3:16).

What do you suppose happens when Jesus' love
takes hold of our hearts? Can this love of Christ
propel us into a life of service for Him?

   Remember our question: did God ask Jesus to do something difficult? From a human standpoint, yes. In fact, unbelievably difficult. Impossible. Jesus might have thought so, for He wanted to live, even as we do. But He was constrained by a higher motivation than concern for His own existence, or even desire for companionship with His Father. He was filled with what the Bible calls agape, a Greek word meaning an unselfish kind of love--the highest kind of love humans can experience. It is a gift from God. This agape love working in Christ's heart made Him want to be that "Lamb." That's why He chose to sacrifice His own life so we might have gift of eternal life.
   Now for the original question: "What if God asks me to do something difficult?" Jesus said, "Take up your cross and follow Me." Included in His cross was His willingness to give up His own desire for security and for eternal life.
   What do you suppose happens when Jesus' love takes hold of our hearts? Could it be possible that we, too, might become more concerned about the salvation of others than for our own selfish pleasure? Can this love of Christ also propel us into a life of service for Him?
   Absolutely!
   "Can you think of anyone who has actually been motivated by this agape love you're talking about?"
   Throughout history there have been millions who have been constrained [motivated] by agape, but one story can illustrate the principle.
   James Hudson Taylor, life-long missionary to China, at an early age committed his life to the Lord, determined to go wherever He led. His initial intent to become a surgeon soon faded as a deep conviction gripped him that he must be a missionary to China.
   At age 21 he embarked on a sailing ship to begin his lifelong venture. All he held dear, he left behind in England. Writing later, he said, "My beloved mother had come over to Liverpool to see me off. Never shall I forget how she went with me into the ship cabin that was to be my 'home' for nearly six long months. With a mother's loving hand she smoothed the little bed. She sat by my side and joined in the last hymn we should sing together before parting. We knelt down and she prayed--the last mother's prayer I was to hear before leaving for China. Then we had to say good-bye, never expecting to meet on earth again.
   "For my sake she restrained her feelings as much as possible. We parted, she went ashore, giving me her blessing. I stood alone on deck, and she followed the ship as we sailed out. As the separation really commenced, never shall I forget the cry of anguish wrung from that mother's heart. It went through me like a knife. I never knew so fully, until then, what 'God so loved the world' meant. And I am quite sure my precious mother learned more of the love of God for the perishing in that one hour than in all her life before.
   "Oh how it must grieve the heart of God when He sees His children indifferent to the needs of that wide world for which His beloved, His only Son suffered and died." ^[2]
   Taylor understood what it meant to be "constrained," or compelled, by the love of Christ. He also understood the gripping sorrow God feels for His children lost in sin.

Youth will not be content to sit silent any longer.
No more will life be "business as usual."

   Among the final generation of youth on earth will be those who sense God's grief. These youth will not be content to sit silent any longer. No more will life be "business as usual." Nothing will be "too hard for the Lord." He longs to prepare a people--His church, His temple, His bride--for the long-awaited "marriage of the Lamb" (Rev. 19:6-9).
   "I am willing. Maybe God can use me, but I don't have many skills." The Seventh-day Adventist Church was founded by young people with a dream of carrying the message of the three angels of Revelation 14 to the world. Ellen White received her first vision at the age of 17. She, her husband James, and other early pioneers were barely out of their teens when they founded the movement that became this church. The opportunities before today's youth are unprecedented. In the immediate future lies the end of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. God calls each of us to have a part in this message to the world.
   "Does that mean God expects me to be a preacher?"
   Whether you plan to become a nurse, teacher, pilot, auto mechanic, physician, artist, lawyer, farmer, or housewife, God invites you to lay your plans before Him. Whatever occupation you choose, He will reveal a way in which you can proclaim to a dying world the message of Christ's love and soon return.
   He has promised. Believe Him.

[Patricia L. Guthrie is a wife and mother who writes from Fletcher, North Carolina.]

^[1] The Great Controversy, pp. 366-367
^[2] Dr. And Mrs. Howard Taylor, biography of Hudson Taylor, pp. 83, 84.

Published: May-August 19981888 Message Study Committee Newsletter