A “Bad” Young Man
Born in 1955, I’m what is commonly known as a “product” of the 60’s and 70’s (my mentor – J.D. Pendry, often lets it be known when/where he was born in his writings so I thought I’d follow his lead).
Based on my coming up time and the times now, I’m certain there must be a language-slang issue among each generation in the U. S. of A. That may also be true in other countries but this is the only one I’ve lived in long enough to attest to.
Take the word “bad” for example: in my youth, often when the word “bad” was used by folk in my age group, it actually meant the opposite – it meant “good.” My generation would say things like, “Hey man, Ronnie got a new bike for Christmas and that thing is “bad.”
People of my children’s generation use words in the same connotation as my generation did. However, the words are more diametrically opposed than simply opposites. For instance, words that are meant to convey something or someone is good or cool, etc. are designated as “crazy,” “sick” or “stupid” – i.e. “Did you see that touchdown catch? That thing was “sick!”
In keeping with the language-slang of my younger days, I want to highlight a person whose life was so impressive to me during his earlier years that I would term him as a “bad” young man – again, meaning he was “good.” His name is Josiah and you can read about him in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35 of the Old Testament in the Bible.
Josiah became the king of the nation of Judah at the age of 8. The Biblical account conveys that during his overall reign, he did the things (conducted himself and performed actions) that were pleasing in the sight of God and that he followed the example of his royal ancestor, King David, who had served and been remembered as an honorable and reputable king. The record also conveys that Josiah never deviated from his commitment and conduct of excellent service.
As a teenager at age 16, this “bad” young man began to seek (diligently pursue) God. Four years later (age 20) he began to “clean up” his kingdom and the surrounding lands by getting rid of all the worship customs and practices that dishonored the one, true of God of his ancestry and heritage. I’ve imagined his 4 years of pursuing God were akin to him pursuing a 4-year Master’s degree on learning about God so he’d become proficient in the abilities required to lead Judah back to sincere devotion and service to God.
At 26, after cleansing and correcting the land and the temple of worship, he made reparations to the temple and reforms to the duties, services and worship practices as they were originally mandated to be and set a public example by personally adhering to all the dictates in the sight of all the people.
This young man could have chosen another path or taken another direction in his office as the king. He could’ve been corrupt (like his father was…and many public officials today), he could’ve been selfish and self serving (like many public officials today). At 16, he could’ve been a fun-minded, “it’s all about me” teenager with all the authority of a king to live it up like a Saudi royal. But he was selfless, focused and determined to do what was right for himself, his people and his God.
He was a good and exemplary king. He was a “bad” young man.
I’ve been impressed and learned a great deal regarding characteristics I’m striving to emulate from the life of Josiah.
But since I’m no longer a “young” man, I’m striving each day to be a “bad” “older” man.
Copyright © Paul Schneidmill 2008 All Rights Reserved