Young leaders are great

The question that many have is when is a young man or woman ready to assume leadership. In years past many got married a little after puberty. Some of my aunties went through that. My mother, who married at 18, was considered late. However, since those years we have changed our expectations and changed the economic and education systems, and laws to accommodate a longer learning process and allow the person to mature. But in the chapter that I am reading a person is made king at the age of 7.

2 Kings 11:3, So he was hidden with her in the house of the Lord for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land.

2 Kings 11:21, Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.

Amazing. But this is made possible with the close mentoring and supervision provided by the priest, Jehoiada. The boy could not be left alone to rule Judah. I believe many adults forget to mentor and supervise well, eventhough they may have done the right thing by passing the baton to a young person. Our young people are capable, if we prepare them well and walk with them.

Not every child is the same. I remember taking two of my children to teach character building when they were 14 and 10. I believe there was some trepidation, but they did well. Other children may take up leadership roles that do not require a lot of public speaking. The biggest myth is that we believe they need a season of playing with toys before they are made responsible for their actions.

Father, help me empower the young people to be great and responsible leaders by the age of puberty.