Underage Pilot

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” [1.Timothy 4:12]

During World War II, a young 21-year-old man entered an Air Force enlistment center and eagerly asked to join the service. He said his name was Kincaid, and he wanted to become a flyer. Passing the physical, he was accepted into the Air Force and, after training in the United States, he was assigned to a bomber squadron at the Benghazi Air Base in North Africa.

As a skillful gunner on a B-24 bomber, Kincaid soon ran up a terrific record, was decorated and promoted to sergeant. But then one day his best buddy was killed, and this so deeply affected Kincaid that the depressed young airman asked for a transfer. Because of his sterling record, the transfer was granted.

The flyer returned to the United States and immediately went to see his commanding officer. His name, he told the astonished officer, was not Kincaid, it was Fletcher, and he was not 21 years old as his military record stated, but only 16. He had been only 15 when he had enlisted the year before, lying then about both his name and his age. Tom Fletcher was the youngest combat flyer in Benghazi; at the age of 16 he was already a veteran. He had completed 35 combat missions, flying 300 hours. He had been given the Air Medal with one silver cluster and five bronze clusters, and had won the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Sometimes young people doubt that God can use them in His service because of their youth. Paul told young Timothy not to let anyone put him down because of his age. He advised him to study and to use the special gift God gave him to help others. He also told Timothy if he continued following the right path and doing good, he would become a powerful example to others and a soul-winner for God.

God loves to have young people in His service. The Bible says, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Don’t let lack of experience hold you back. God isn’t looking for experienced disciples, just dedicated ones.