Generation Hope

Below is an article I recently had published in our local newspaper. It was based off of a message I recently preached on Jeremiah 1.4-10 titled "Today I Appoint You." It was a fun exercise in communicating God's message, stripped of the religious language that may not have been accepted in a local newspaper. If you're interested in hearing the message give a listen here:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id292230187.

Many have referred to today’s young people as “Generation Me.” Their reasoning generally follows: they lack respect for authority, they’re selfish, cynical, apathetic, and out of control. Yet I believe that the next generation also possesses unparalleled potential, creativity and giftedness and if they can discover their purpose in life then there is great hope for the future of our community and world. I want to cast a compelling vision for our next generation, one that will require parents, teachers, coaches, and other community leaders to embrace if we’re to see it come to fruition. This vision lies in the essence of three truths that our young people need to understand.

1. Your life has a great purpose. No matter what your peers, teachers, and perhaps even parents communicate you were not an accident. Long before you were a twinkle in their eye you were destined for great things. You are at a period in your life where simply existing and getting by isn’t enough. Psychologists maintain that during adolescence we wrestle with three questions: Who am I? Do I belong? Do I matter? Adolescence can be tough, but it is also a great opportunity to creatively explore your purpose in life.

2. Your youth is not an excuse. It is an opportunity. Too often youth is used as an excuse, as a way of getting out of doing something significant. Unfortunately our culture encourages this. Turn on the latest reality television show and you will find passionate and energetic twenty-somethings partying, sleeping around and getting into fights. Many will watch this and say, “Well they’re just young and having fun.” What if instead of just doing whatever feels good, you did something that mattered? Perhaps instead of going on a wild spring break trip you went and served the inner city or went with a group of friends to do relief work in an area ravaged by a hurricane or earthquake. I know of several young people who have traded the parties in Cancun for opportunities in Rwanda and Kenya, and both society and their own lives are better as a result.

3. You have a message that the world needs to hear. Too often society is the one giving you a message, “Wait your turn. Listen to us for a while, and when you’ve finally wised up to our way of thinking then we’ll listen to you.” Do not be content just sitting at the kids’ table. Join the important conversations in which society is engaged. You offer passion and creativity that is unlike anything the world has ever seen. Pursue opportunities to have your voice heard, because we need to hear it and the future will be impacted significantly as a result.

Next generation, you can change your school, your community, and the world. My hope is that the rest of us will empower and encourage you to do so!