Put Off the Young Man Too

When we observe someone walking toward us from a distance, we are not surprised or disturbed by the changes which seem to take place in that one's appearance. When the person approaching is far away, he looks very small. As he draws nearer, he appears to increase in size until he reaches normal proportions; then he seems to grow smaller again as he moves away until he finally disappears from view.

We never believe that the person observed has actually changed. Instead, we understand that the seeming change has all been from our viewpoint.

This is a useful illustration to keep in mind regarding ourselves and others. We seem to begin our human experience as infants, move through a stage of development, attain physical and mental maturity, and then enter a period of gradual decline, which ultimates in our eventual passing from human view.

But we learn in Christian Science that our true selfhood, the image of God, does not change. Only the human concept of us varies according to the passage of time. Mrs. Eddy declares in Science and Health (p. 244 ): "Man in Science is neither young nor old. He has neither birth nor death. He is not a beast, a vegetable, nor a migratory mind."

People are anxious to put off the beliefs of old age, the sense of deterioration and helplessness so often associated with advancing years. But is not old age just another phase of the belief that man has previously been young, manifesting immaturity, incapacity, and timidity? Is it not just as important, then, to put off the young man, so to speak?

We read in Ephesians (4:22-24 ), "Put off ... the old man, . . . and . . . put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Paul was not referring here to old age, but rather to the discarding of the carnal mind, with its false sense of man as either young or old, as sick, sinful, and discordant. As we abandon this mortal concept of man as worthless and unreal, we shall naturally help to eliminate from our thinking both the inadequacy of youth and the senility of age.

God is timeless. The divine Mind passes through no states and stages of development. We read in Malachi (3:6 ), "I am the Lord, I change not." It follows logically, then, that man, made in the image and likeness of God, as related in the first chapter of Genesis, is also changeless.

Putting off the young man does not mean pushing oneself or another through the early years of human experience without the full enjoyment of the wholesome activities of youth. Neither does it mean assuming responsibilities for which one is not properly prepared. But wisdom, poise, and good judgment can be expressed by young people as well as by their elders. Truth, not time, is the source of such qualities.

When David went out to meet the challenge of Goliath, Saul was doubtful of David's ability, saying (I Sam. 17:33 ), "Thou art but a youth," and Goliath disdained him for the same reason.

But David refused to think of himself as inadequate. Having been guided by God to accept the challenge of the enemy of Israel, he knew that God would supply the skill and courage for the successful completion of the task; and he vanquished Goliath.

Mortal mind would present many Goliaths to the young people of today—Goliaths of uncertainty about what college one should attend, what subject one should major in, what business or profession one should fit oneself for. And, when school days are over, what will be the prospects of marriage, home, and rewarding employment?

There is no uncertainty in Mind. Recognizing God's unchanging love and care, young people can go forward confidently, knowing that God will unfold the right goal and every step toward that goal. Such a recognition will not blunt normal ambition or lead anyone to think that excellence can be achieved without conscientious effort.

Teen-agers often have a great desire to be considered grown up. Yet the devices they frequently choose to show they are mature prove just the opposite. The belief that to smoke or drink is a sign of being adult is an immature concept of maturity. Also, defiance of law and of parental authority or the flouting of sound moral standards does not indicate a mature attitude.

On the other hand, those who perceive and demonstrate their timeless spiritual selfhood will express better judgment, a more responsible attitude, improved habits of conduct and study, increased consideration for the welfare of others, and they will enjoy a greater sense of happiness and satisfaction.

Paul admonished Timothy (I Tim. 4:12 ), "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Through Christian Science we can nullify the suggestion that we are not adequate to conquer error because of lack of experience, lack of understanding, lack of confidence or courage, lack of any kind. We can get rid of the tendency to look to others to do our tasks for us or to make decisions for us which we should make ourselves.

Thus we shall joyfully face up now to our duties as Christian Scientists rather than allow mortal mind to argue that in fulfilling these duties, we shall deprive ourselves of satisfying experiences, and therefore it would be better to put off such facing up to a more favorable time. It is never too early to put off false beliefs. The teen years should not be looked upon as one's last fling at life but as a period of preparation for the opportunities of adulthood.

Each one of us can add immeasurably to his joy and wellbeing by maintaining the freshness, spontaneity, and purity of thought which are commonly associated with youth, but which in reality ore essential to man as God's reflection and have nothing to do with time.

Christ Jesus emphasized the importance of childlike qualities when he told his disciples (Matt. 18:3 ), "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Speaking in The Mother Church in 1895, Mrs. Eddy told her followers (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 110 ): "Beloved children, the world has need of you, —and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives. You need also to watch, and pray that you preserve these virtues unstained, and lose them not through contact with the world. What grander ambition is there than to maintain in yourselves what Jesus loved, and to know that your example, more than words, makes morals for mankind!"