A Generation With Purpose
My generation appears to have given itself a bad name. I can't go anywhere without hearing comments about how lazy and rude teenagers are. How we constantly text, watch TV, stay in our rooms, snap at others, listen to bad music, and the list could go on for miles. It is so sad to me. We are considered adolescents that have few manners and mumble to adults. We may have "Christian" on Facebook as our "religion." We may even go to church somewhere. We even mention Jesus sometimes. But we are still considered to behave like the "typical teen."
Switching gears, people ask me often, "what are you going to do with your life." I'm 17 and that must be what people are supposed to ask 17 year-olds. Many that ask have a preconceived notion that I should get a job that makes as much money as possible, live comfortably and save for retirement or something. Many assume I should be wild as a teen, go to college to major in something that will make a ton of money, that will do this so I can do that and this and that and this and yada yada yada. That is how the American "Christian" child should grow up? Right?
I have no problem with a good job and money, but living for that is where the issue arises. Many people grow up planning all along to serve the "world." They really don't even realize they are doing it. They do what everyone does so they can live for the world. The world is oppressive, though. The purpose you have in it is to get a name for yourself, to make something of yourself even if it means losing everything else. You serve the world to get something from it. You spend your life trying to win it's approval. However, the world often tramples on it's citizens. Some suddenly realize that serving the world is without eternal purpose.
This world needs a generation with a lasting purpose behind it. It needs a generation that serves God's kingdom as faithfully as many serve the world's. God's Kingdom, however, is full of joy. You don't come there looking for purpose... it is laid before you by the One that created the Universe. You don't come looking for a name... it is woven into the tapestry of time. You don't come to get anything, but to give, and yet you are given more than you could ever want or need.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Teenagers who serve God's Kingdom look differently from the "typical teen." They live with a purpose in the depths of their hearts that is greater than money or popularity. They live without the desire to hide that they are a follower of the Most High. They shock adults with their attitudes that are so unlike the world's. They love those that others don't. Money is not the desire of their hearts. They live to serve the One that served them in the greatest way.
We need a generation that would be willing to put down the rectangle gods (screens of TVs, ipods, cell phones, etc) and serve. We need a generation that has a purpose greater than this world's. It may look strange to the "American dream pursuers." A glimpse of this lasting purpose may be a mom staying home even though she could make lots of money. It could be a 16 year old girl blessing a 5 year old's heart by talking to her for a few minutes. It could be a sweet old lady helping fix a meal for a sick family. It could be a dad who shows tough love. It looks strange to everyone else. But then, that is how it is supposed to look.
God has laid His plans before us. Don't think it is too late to live for something greater than this world. And teenagers, we can prove that we aren't incapable of being strong Christians. We can let God's light shine through our lives by living for Jesus. Not just "saying"... but "living." This world needs to see some Christian young people whose lives aren't watered down by everything under the sun... a generation with purpose.
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Switching gears, people ask me often, "what are you going to do with your life." I'm 17 and that must be what people are supposed to ask 17 year-olds. Many that ask have a preconceived notion that I should get a job that makes as much money as possible, live comfortably and save for retirement or something. Many assume I should be wild as a teen, go to college to major in something that will make a ton of money, that will do this so I can do that and this and that and this and yada yada yada. That is how the American "Christian" child should grow up? Right?
I have no problem with a good job and money, but living for that is where the issue arises. Many people grow up planning all along to serve the "world." They really don't even realize they are doing it. They do what everyone does so they can live for the world. The world is oppressive, though. The purpose you have in it is to get a name for yourself, to make something of yourself even if it means losing everything else. You serve the world to get something from it. You spend your life trying to win it's approval. However, the world often tramples on it's citizens. Some suddenly realize that serving the world is without eternal purpose.
This world needs a generation with a lasting purpose behind it. It needs a generation that serves God's kingdom as faithfully as many serve the world's. God's Kingdom, however, is full of joy. You don't come there looking for purpose... it is laid before you by the One that created the Universe. You don't come looking for a name... it is woven into the tapestry of time. You don't come to get anything, but to give, and yet you are given more than you could ever want or need.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Teenagers who serve God's Kingdom look differently from the "typical teen." They live with a purpose in the depths of their hearts that is greater than money or popularity. They live without the desire to hide that they are a follower of the Most High. They shock adults with their attitudes that are so unlike the world's. They love those that others don't. Money is not the desire of their hearts. They live to serve the One that served them in the greatest way.
We need a generation that would be willing to put down the rectangle gods (screens of TVs, ipods, cell phones, etc) and serve. We need a generation that has a purpose greater than this world's. It may look strange to the "American dream pursuers." A glimpse of this lasting purpose may be a mom staying home even though she could make lots of money. It could be a 16 year old girl blessing a 5 year old's heart by talking to her for a few minutes. It could be a sweet old lady helping fix a meal for a sick family. It could be a dad who shows tough love. It looks strange to everyone else. But then, that is how it is supposed to look.
God has laid His plans before us. Don't think it is too late to live for something greater than this world. And teenagers, we can prove that we aren't incapable of being strong Christians. We can let God's light shine through our lives by living for Jesus. Not just "saying"... but "living." This world needs to see some Christian young people whose lives aren't watered down by everything under the sun... a generation with purpose.
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
I know how you feel Katy! It is embarrassing! I don't text, or even have a cellphone for that matter. Bet we are looped in with how everyone views the "typical teen". We should stop every teen we see on the street and tell them to stop cause it's ruinin' our reputation! =P
ReplyDeletePeople notice when you live out God's normal......and even if people don't, God does. Keep on keeping on.......God's normal is ALWAYS the best choice! Keep up the good work!
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