When young we all aspire to be something when we grow up, such as a doctor, fireman, father, mother, engineer, plumber, technician, programmer, artist, musician, writer, the list goes on. Often parents will have hopes of what their children will be in the future.

Even God has important plans for you! Plans that will match your interests and aspirations closer than you could believe.

God’s Plan for You

What God has in store for you is far greater than you could ever imagine. Let’s read in the Bible where some of these plans are explained:

“What is man, that You are mindful of him? Or the son of man, that You visit him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of Your hands: You have put all things in subjection under his feet” (Heb. 2:6-8).

God has given us an opportunity, for those who overcome, to rule with Him in His kingdom (Rev. 2:26-27; 3:21). God has also set us over His creation (Gen. 1:28), now as physical beings, and later as spiritual beings with Him in the world tomorrow. The reference to “all things” in verse 28 is translated in the Moffat translation as the “universe,” giving a much broader meaning. This shows that one day we will rule with Christ over the ever-expanding universe of planets, stars and galaxies.

Being a youth in God’s Church leaves you with two possibilities; neither one diminishes your potential. If enough time passes, the older youth could be baptized before Jesus Christ returns. If they then overcome and build holy, righteous character, they will rule with Him as God-beings (I John 3:2; Psa. 17:15) and as kings, priests and judges.

However, the younger youth will not be left out. They will become the physical rulers and work directly with the God family in the Millennium. God has always worked with physical servants, such as Moses, David, the prophets and His Church today. This pattern will continue into the Millennium—and you could play an important role.

In either scenario, imagine what you will be able to do!

Imagine Your Future Role

Consider living into the Millennium as a young person. Because of God’s protection, you and your family will be protected at the Place of Safety from the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. During those three and a half years, you will be specially taught and prepared for the task that will begin as soon as Christ returns to rebuild this world. It will be a sort of training camp—an elite school for the new world-ruling government.

Once the tribulation is over, the worst time of trouble the world had ever seen, man’s civilization will lie in ruins. Cities, towns, villages and farms will be places of waste and destruction; the earth will be in desperate need of repair (Rom. 8:22). The environment will be in shambles. Oceans, lakes and rivers will be polluted; land will not be farmable; forests will be destroyed. The people who survive will be sick, weak and emotionally shattered after living through unprecedented horror. But here is the beginning of your great opportunity.

As teens brought up in the Church, your training will be called upon. When the survivors of the modern nations of Israel are brought back to the Promised Land, there will need to be physical leaders working with these people. You will be called upon to lead and teach the survivors the way of life you are being taught now. You will be used to help them rebuild their lives. What could be more exciting than helping to reconstruct the world under the leadership and direction of the family of God?

Imagine which member of the God family could be working with you in the world tomorrow. Could you be one of King David’s servants? How about Samuel, Ruth, Joshua, Moses, Isaac, Israel, Sarah or Abraham? Or what if Paul, Peter or John personally worked with you? Perhaps you might work under Mr. Armstrong, or one of your parents.

The excitement of this time would be unparalleled! Consider your interests and aspirations now, and how they could be used in the future. If it is to be a health specialist, caring for the health of others, think of all the survivors that will need to be taught and shown how to live healthy lives. Or to be an engineer, think of all the towns and cities that will need roads and buildings redesigned. If you want to be a farmer, you could teach people how to properly use the land and animals in accordance with God’s laws and principles. The peace across the land will be widespread, and there will be more food than one could imagine.

God will be able to use any talents and abilities you might have to rebuild the world during the Millennium.

Privileged Knowledge

The parable of the talents shows what servants did with what was given to them while their master was away (Luke 19:12-26). This largely deals with what a Christian does with his portion of the Holy Spirit, whether he grows in the fruits of the Spirit—God’s character.

God’s plan is that you one day become a ruler in His kingdom. This knowledge is not something to be taken lightly. Not many have had the chance to know what you know. Consider how few have an opportunity to understand God’s purpose for humanity—to know why they were born.

The Universe Awaits

Recall that Hebrews 2:8 states God will put “all things”—the entire universe—under our subjection. First, it will be in the Millennium helping Christ and His resurrected saints rebuild the world in accordance with God’s Law. Eventually, God’s kingdom will cover the face of the earth. Every man and woman will finally be given the chance to know and learn God’s Way. The vast majority will choose to overcome and be part of God’s family.

Then the rest of God’s creation—the vast and ever-expanding universe—awaits!