The Youth of This Generation

(Group photo of the students in our youth ministry)

When people look at this generation, they only see a fallen world. I understand the temptation to only see the bad/negative things. We hear about hateful bullying, senseless and cruel violence, and more evils than we know what to do with. For a while I struggled with even wanting to one day have children because of all this heartlessness, but working with youth has taught me a great deal. 

      It encourages me to look at the teenagers in our youth ministry and other young Christians around the world. I see young leaders bearing the weight of a cruel and selfish culture, yet truly setting themselves apart for God. I see the bold sacrifices they are willing to make in order to honor the Lord. I see the hope there is for the future. They truly live out the command God gave to His people in the desert: "Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong" (Exodus 23:2a NIV).

      The world will continue to grow more evil until Christ's return. Second Timothy 3:1-5a says, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power." Even though things will and are getting worse, it doesn't mean it is hopeless. While the crowd will continue to do wrong, there are youth (and adults) who are willing to be the light and show there is something more-something different-to live for. They live everyday to show that God is real and that He still moves. They teach a falling world how to honor Him. 

      When I look at them, I see bravery and creativity. They are willing to be mocked, left out, and persecuted for their faith. They are also willing to think outside the box to reach their friends and stay relevant. As the culture changes, so does the way we present the Gospel (though the Gospel itself doesn't change). They are reinventing the way we do ministry and it inspires me. 

      We can't afford to write youth off as hopeless, lost, or unreachable. None of these labels are true. There are challenges and we may have to work harder to build them up, teach, and guide them, but they are the ones that will carry on the message of the Gospel. They will be the ones to teach the world about God. They truly are our future and so if we want to see more in the world, then we can't afford to ignore them.

Pray for the state of this generation and that God would raise up more people who are willing to devote themselves fully to Him. Ask Him how you can begin mentoring and encouraging the youth that are seeking Him so that they can be empowered to walk in their faith.