When it comes to making a positive difference in the world, sometimes young people say ‘What can I do – I’m just a kid!’
The answer to that is LOTS! Kids from all around the world have made a difference to the other people’s lives and continue to do so right now. So don’t think just because you are young that you cannot make the lives of others better. God’s Word says in 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (NRSV) God is saying to you that even though you might be young, you can make a difference for Him in your community!
In this series we explore 4 ways Jesus changed the world around him and we know you can do so too 🙂
4) Advocating for the Oppressed:
It doesn’t always make sense when we try and think about how some kids live in places like Australia or America, with comfortable houses and plenty of food, but others grow up in very poor places like some African countries, where 10 people live in a small shack and food and clean water are hard to find. It is not right or wrong that you were born somewhere – it is just how it is. But loving God means that if we find ourselves living comfortably, then we need to do something important for those who are not. Jesus tells us to share what we have with those who have less and in Hebrews 13:16 it says that God is pleased when we do good things and share with others.
But there is more to it than just being generous. If we give stuff away but don’t actually care about the needs of the poor then we are not following God’s way. It is important that followers of Jesus express their practical love to people by doing good things for them and also by trying to make their lives better. This is how we show God’s love to them.
At just 9 years old, Dylan Mahalingam knew that even though he was just a kid, he had the power to impact the world in a positive way. Starting from a small group of three children to now over 24,000 regular youth volunteers and expanding into 40 countries, Dylan’s created an idea called ‘Lil MDG’s’ which brings together resources to help fix poverty, improve education and equality, and various other important social justice issues. Dylan knew that even though he was young he could stand up for other kids who were poor and his idea has helped so many other kids around the world. His idea is still going and still has kids working for ‘Lil MDGs’ – an 11 year old, a 10 year old, and even an 8 year old![1]
So even kids can make other people’s lives better! Think about how you could try to make changes that would help others. Talk to your family and friends about how you all can work together to make someone else’s life happier in some way 🙂
Dylan talking to others about how kids can make a difference in the world 🙂
Salvo Social Justice 