"The older kids and teenagers are the real warriors. I have to wait my turn."
How it sounds in your head: You watch the high schoolers lead worship and pray powerful prayers. That's real ministry. You're just a kid in the kids' section. Maybe in five years you'll be old enough to do something that matters. Right now you're in training mode.
"So Samuel said to Jesse, 'Are all the young men here?' Then he said, 'There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.' And Samuel said to Jesse, 'Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.'"
-- 1 Samuel 16:11Religion - creating hierarchy and seniority where Jesus created equal access. The enemy establishing a waiting list for the supernatural.
Teenagers literally get more responsibility at church. They go on mission trips. They lead things. You're still in children's ministry coloring pictures. The structure itself says you're not ready.
Became king at EIGHT years old. At twelve he began purging Judah of idols and at sixteen launched national revival. Didn't wait for older people to lead - he WAS the leader as a child.
I REFUSE the lie that I'm waiting my turn behind older kids. IT IS WRITTEN that God rejected ALL of David's older brothers and anointed the youngest from the sheep field. I have been given the SAME Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, and the Spirit doesn't come in age-graded versions. IT IS WRITTEN that Jesus said 'let the children come' and 'of such is the kingdom' - not 'wait until you're teenagers.' I am a branch in the Vine producing supernatural fruit NOW because branches don't wait to be older before they bear fruit. The BARAK blessing of Abraham makes me more than a conqueror TODAY. I don't have a junior varsity Holy Spirit - I have the FULL POWER of God in me because I am in Christ and Christ is in me.
The Father isn't organizing a queue by age. He's running toward you with the SAME robe, ring, and sandals He gives everyone else. In His house, there's no kids' table. You eat at the MAIN table because you're a son, not an intern.