What’s some of the blessings of being a young person? I’m sure those of you who are older can recall those days of energetic youthfulness! Yes, God has given young people special strength and vitality.

The Bible has a wonderful illustration in Psalms 127, showing us how powerful young people can be.

“As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the youth.” – Psalms 127:4

What a fitting symbol for youth! Arrows can cover a long distance, flying very quickly to hit the mark. Yes, the youth are like arrows in the hand of a mighty man.

Well, at least they should be.

Think about it, what good would the arrow be without the bow?

The bow gives steadiness and direction to the arrow. And gives the push to send that arrow flying in the right direction. What if the mighty man tried to throw the arrow with no bow? The arrow would have little hope of ever reaching the target.

And what about the mighty man? Indeed a bow and arrow without the mighty man would be useless.

If youth are the arrows, what could the bow and the mighty man represent?

What would give direction, steadiness and a push in the right direction for youth? Yes! I’m sure you’ve guessed it. The older people with more experience, and especially our parents, are like the bow. They give us guidance, and help us aim in the right direction. They provide support and give us that drive to speed on the right course.

And who, should ultimately be guiding the bow and arrows? Yes, the mighty man is none other than Jesus Christ. He is the one who should be guiding the bow and the arrows.

With this three-fold union, how quickly would God’s work advance! How quickly would an army of youth, working with the older generations and guided by Jesus, carry the message of salvation to the world!

But what do we see happening today? Youth are straining to break away from parental restraint. The false idea of a ‘generation gap’ has done its leavening work to separate the youth from their older friends.

And Satan is seeking to separate the older generations from Christ, and instead engross their attention with a fast-paced lifestyle of long work hours and stimulating entertainments at home.

And we wonder why the work of God languishes, why youth are disinterested in eternal things, why the world has such a fascination to them?

If you are a young person reading this, I would encourage you to connect yourself with a strong bow, this will save you from many mistakes and get you flying in the right direction.

And for all of us, old or young, let’s seek to connect ourselves with that mighty man, Jesus Christ!