In 1998, when she won the ladies’ figure skating competition in Nagano, Japan, American Tara Lipinski, at age 15, became the youngest gold medal winner in winter Olympics history.

Today we’re going to talk about Tara and Tim—two young people who made an impact.

You know about Tara from the information above. As she was growing up and competing, everyone knew she was a rising star, a promising athlete, a potential champion. But to win the gold medal at 15, now that was a shock! The competition was tough, and she was so young and inexperienced. No one expected her to win. Maybe that’s why she did so well. Feeling no pressure, she just went out and skated her best.

Now let’s consider Tim. This young man lived hundreds of years before Tara. He was young too, and few expected much from him. But his good friend and mentor, the Apostle Paul, knew better. He knew that Tim had what it took to be a great leader in the church. Paul even wrote two letters to his young friend to encourage him and to help him do his best. Those letters are in the Bible—1 Timothy and 2 Timothy.

In today’s verse, Paul gives Tim advice that you should hear too. He wrote, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.” In other words, just because you are young don’t think you can’t do something great for God—you can! And then he added, “Be an example.” So, not only can you make a difference by what you do but also by how you live.

While some people are tempted to underestimate the young, some great Christians have been quite young. They made a difference for Christ. You can too!

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. (1 Timothy 4:12).

To Do

Think of how you can be a better example in “what you teach,” “the way you live,” “your love,” “your faith,” or “your purity.” Then take one step to make the change.

Also on this day . . .

1872—The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened in New York City.

1872—Silas Noble and J.P. Cooley patented the toothpick manufacturing machine.

1962—John Glenn became the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the earth.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.