“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”

I was having a conversation with friends this past week who are both senior HR Executives.  We were discussing the pros and cons of different types of away-from-work policies.  Being from different sized companies and from companies of vastly different ages (one over 100 years old, the other around 30 years old), it was not surprising that the older company had just recently adapted to a more “modern” view of comprehensive Paid Time Off (PTO) versus the segregation of vacation time and sick days.  I popped in and mentioned that many of the newest start-ups have abandoned both approaches and just allow the employee to come and go as they need, without counting any days away.  I don’t believe, like in many areas, there is any right answer, but it is obvious to me that, like chronological age, that it becomes harder to try the new and/or change the older we get.  How to keep our old company youthful, is the same challenge that we get to overcome in life.

The Bible speaks of age in the terms of both chronological and spiritual youth.  We are reminded that just because we are young, in either definition of age, that we should not be timid or worse, not cognizant that we can make an impact through our example.  Sometimes, it takes the young person with the new outlook to be the one that creates the spark of creativity and action.  What approach have you been taking at work?  Are you still the youthful, optimistic, hopeful, encouraging person, or has something dampened your outlook?  Paul challenges us to be an example in all wed do. Let’s not either be young and foolish, or old and crotchety, but instead always cognizant of the example of God’s purpose for us.

Reference: 1 Timothy 4:12 (New Living Testament)