Seven Virtues Young People Must Cultivate

12^th March is National Youth Day in Zambia. A holiday dating back to 1962. It commemorates the efforts of young people (particularly in Chimwemwe, Kitwe) in fighting colonial rule in our country. The young people of that time demonstrated courage, conviction, clarity of purpose and character. And of course, like most holidays, the significance and purpose has been lost over the years. So, I anticipate the day will be filled with many festivals, ceremonies, speeches, marching, music concerts, and sporting events across the country and of course some civic personnel will be looking forward to some allowance somewhere. I saw that this years theme is “arise and soar.” It will focus on youth empowerment, leadership, and innovation. All well and good. If I were to add a voice to the day and the messages that will be delivered, I would encourage young people to cultivate their character. Empowerment, innovation and leadership without character lead to disastrous failure. Dear young people, here are seven qualities you need to cultivate in your life.

1.     Discipline

The word discipline simply means to train. Train yourself each day, mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Learn to master your habits and desires. Routine and repetition are not boring or negative. Do not believe the lie that enjoyment comes from free-flowing spontaneity. All relationships and responsibilities require total discipline if they are to be done well and successfully. You must daily learn to master your habits, thoughts and feelings, or they will master and enslave you. In all your relationships, responsibilities and recreation, exert a high level of discipline. Skill, opportunity, and exposure without discipline will lead to ruin.

2.     Hard work

God created us to work hard. To exert ourselves to the point of exhaustion. And that is why we need to rest each day, because the assumption is that you have applied yourself in work throughout the day. Contrary to popular thinking, work is not the same as employment. So, whether one is employed or not, we are to apply ourselves and work hard. Society is increasingly frowning upon the virtue of hard work and preferring the easy way out. It is fashionable to laze around and just expect things to happen. To spend the whole day scrolling on social media, watching video reels, reading people’s statuses, laughing at memes, liking selfies, or just streaming tv shows. Friend, apply yourself, avoid shortcuts, do not despise  tediousness or exertion.

3.     Discipleship

Some call it mentorship. But do make a habit of learning from those who have gone before you and be accountable to people. Whether in the Christian life, career, or relationships, there is immense value in surrounding yourself with a multitude of wise and godly counsellors. People who will walk with you through the seasons of life and hold you accountable. Discipleship relationships can be uncomfortable and make you vulnerable, but they are invaluable and hugely rewarding.

4.     Physical friendships

God created us to live in community and enjoy companionship. Dear young people, you need companionship with real people in your life. Friendships do not just happen naturally; they need a lot of intentionality and effort. Make friends and do life with them. The world of social media gives us the mirage of virtual friendships, but I hope you realise that the essence of friendship and companionship is doing life together. Sadly, too many people do not have friends or have left a trail of broken friendships because they do not want to work hard and deal with the messiness of making friendships work. They allow selfishness and entitlement to get in the way and ruin friendships. And they get comfortable with the convenient idea of friends on social media, because it is easy to block or log out. You need friends; make them.

5.     Patience

One of the hard lessons you will learn as you navigate life is the virtue of patience. You will often struggle with the tranny of the urgent. You will want what you want when you want it. But it is important to remember that life and growth are a process. There are no quick fixes in life. Learn to love the processes and enjoy waiting. Sometimes you will fail; things will not work out; your plans and dreams will not come easily or turn out the way you envision them. Delays, cancellations, and rejections are part of life. Patience is a virtue. The motivational speakers are wrong: there are no doors to break down and no quick steps to success. But patience pays. All successful people did not get where they are overnight; listen to their stories, they went through the process of life.

6.     Humility

One thing you may not lack is confidence and zeal. Some of you are very assured in your knowledge and abilities. You are your number one hype man. Confidence is good. But I urge you to pursue humility. Do not believe your own hype. Have a realistic view of yourself. You are not the world’s greatest. Pride is dangerous and destructive. Skills and abilities, with pride, have ruined many lives with enormous potential. One can be confident and yet humble. Remember the warning of scripture, “the Lord resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” The last thing you want is for the Lord to be your opponent.

7.     Joy

 The last virtue you must cultivate is joy. This is the happiness that comes from contentment and gratitude for things as they are, because you know that everything you are and everything you have is a gift from God. This kind of joy is evident in your enjoyment of the simple, everyday things of life. It is the ability to have a good laugh. And the humility to be grateful. It is fashionable to be grumpy and whiny about everything. That is a miserable way to live. Grumpy and whiny people do not make good friends or companions. They are draining to live and work with. But it is important to remember that this kind of joy is not dependent on your situation or circumstance; it is an internal settled contentment that comes from knowing and living with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear young people, happy Youth Day. May your life be characterised by courage, conviction, clarity of purpose and character. Then, you can arise and soar!