Adolescence is a phase full of transformations and obstacles. It is during this time that young people begin to shape their identity, detine values, and prepare for their academic and professional tuture.
However, due to constant exposure to influences contrary to their principles, balancing the pursuit of knowledge and skills with the preservation of their own identity and faith can be challenging. Yet, although we face difficulties during adolescence, we don’t have to lose hope, because just as in our own lives, we find illustrations in the Bible of people who overcame obstacles.
In this context, the story of Moses is an inspiring example of how a teenager can overcome challenges. Raised in the center of power and greed in the palace, Moses faced numerous difficulties during adolescence, yet he maintained his faith in God, even when it meant defying Pharaoh. As mentioned, this narrative serves as a source of inspiration for all, especially for those going through these tumultuous years. Thus, we can understand that Moses’ story is not just a tale of the past but a guiding light for all who wish to face difficulties while keeping their faith in Jesus Christ.
In the same way, many adolescents live in challenging environments, surrounded by influences that may divert their attention from faith. One of these environments is school, where they have their first interactions and live daily with people from different customs and lifestyles. Although it is a place of learning and growth, school can become a battlefield for one’s identity and Christian faith.
Swimming Against the Tide
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2, NIV).
Secular knowledge often puts adolescents and young people in conflict with Christian values and teachings. The temptation to conform to the patterns of the world is constant. However, Moses remained firm, even surrounded by these negative influences. He did not forget his origins and principles, choosing to keep the faith of his parents and finding refuge in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In this sense, the inspiration remind us that true education goes beyond mere accumulation of knowledge.
It involves character formation, the development of a mind capable of discerning between right and wrong, and the ability to choose what is right, even if it means going against the current (Education, p. 13).
Today, many face similar challenges, though manifested in different ways. Just as Moses overcame and remained firm despite negative influences, you too can overcome these setbacks.
Practical and Theoretical Knowledge
School represents the meeting point between theory and practice, where the journey of acquiring knowledge is faced by all. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how to balance these two aspects.
“Moses was educated in the knowledge of his time, but he did not allow this to distance him from his faith. He learned to harmonize practical knowledge with theoretical principles that shaped his worldview. When, by the grace of God, we balance and apply the theory of knowledge in practice, our minds surrender to Jesus. This elevates the soul and brings us closer to God.
“The education received by Moses, as the king’s grandson, was very thorough. Nothing was neglected that would make him a WIse man, as the Egyptians understood wisdom. But the most valuable part of Moses’ fitting for his lifework was that which he received as a shepherd.
As he led his flocks through the wilds of the mountains and into the green pastures of the valleys, the God of nature taught him the highest wisdom. In the school of nature, with Christ as his teacher, he learned lessons of humility, meekness, faith, and trust, all of which bound his soul closer to God. In the solitude of the mountains he learned that which all his instruction in the king’s palace was unable to impart to him-simple, unwavering faith and a constant trust in the Lord – Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, p. 406.
Moses was educated in the knowledge of his time, but he did not allow this to distance him from his faith. He learned to harmonize practical knowledge with theoretical principles that shaped his worldview. When, by the grace of God, we balance and apply the theory knowledge in practice, our minds surrender to Jesus. This elevates the soul and brings us closer to God. A mind always in contact All the practical knowledge we acquire, whether in the classroom or in daily interactions with others, must be aligned with Christian principles.
We must understand that it is not just about absorbing information but also discerning between right and wrong. By balancing these two aspects, Moses was able to stand out even in a challenging environment.
Using Mental Faculties for the Honor and Glory of God
Adolescence is a phase of discovery, during which our mental faculties are in full development. Our mind, a powerful tool when directed toward the honor and glory of God, can transform not only lives but also the environment around us. Moses exemplified this when he led the people of Israel, using his intellectual abilities united with divine power to guide them through the desert toward freedom. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV).
Our mental faculties are a divine gift, and intelligence, creativity, and the ability to learn are gifts we should use for good and for God’s glory. School should not only be a place for academic learning but also fertile ground for developing these abilities and using them as instruments to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives. Moses understood that all knowledge omes from God, declaring in his psalm of his: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NIV). For him, a wise human heart was the result of learning alongside the Creator.
Though the knowledge acquired in school is vast, it is essential to recognize that every source of knowledge manifests in Jesus Christ. He is the wisdom that illuminates the path of truth. Faith in Christ is not just an addition to the pursuit of knowledge, but the foundation that sustains all knowledge.
The journey of adolescence is unique, filled with challenges and opportunities for growth. Moses shows us that it is possible to navigate this phase with Christ, keeping our principles and faith intact. As stated in Hebrews 11:24-26 (NIV), “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”
As we seek knowledge and understand the importance of balancing theory and practice, our l mental faculties are influenced to recognize Christ as the source of all knowledge. By faith, Moses foresaw an incorruptible crown that the King of Heaven would place on the forehead of the victor, leading him to turn away from the nobles of the earth and join the humble, poor, and despised nation that preferred to obey God rather than serve sin.
As adolescent children of the King, we must journey through this world as in a foreign land, without setting roots, but awaiting a better homeland, whose architect and builder is a God infinitely superior. Just as Moses could not enter the earthly Canaan, he had access to something much more sublime. We are pilgrims and strangers; our true homeland is not here; soon, we will be in our eternal home.
May the story of Moses serve as an inspiring guide, encouraging us to face challenges, especially those of school life, with the assurance that Christ will be by our side, influencing us to impact the world around us. The journey continues, and victory is guaranteed with Christ. Amen!
