Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them”
We have always encouraged those in times of sickness, trial, or even facing death with words similar to these:
“It will be alright. Stay close to the Lord, and He will help you through the valley you're going thru.”
Those are wonderful words for folks who have been in church for years, but what do they mean to Millennials who are searching for truth and can't seem to find it in the church of today.
“It will be alright. Stay close to the Lord, and He will help you through the valley you're going thru.”
Those are wonderful words for folks who have been in church for years, but what do they mean to Millennials who are searching for truth and can't seem to find it in the church of today.
Everything they have ever been taught has became a big question mark in their lives. The life many of them have searched for has become an unreal event and simple words can't change it. Their search for transformation has been overwhelmed by the darkness of bigotry, hatred, and abuse. The institutions their parents had faith in have become questionable because of the lack of accountability.
Accountability means that I prove to myself and others what I believe in, practice, and tell others about God is real. Without a doubt, I believe the Bible reveals what one has to do to be saved, obey God's calling, and have God’s intervention in every step of their lives. I don't understand all that happens in life, but that's not my job. I'm just clay, and God is the potter. If Millennials can understand that God's not looking for perfection, but accountability then they've made the first step in reconciling many of their questions.
Any problem or situation you face will always be greeted with the same questions:
"Are the beliefs, faith, and principles of my elders real or imagined?
"Will everything I face in life be worked out to for the best?"
"Do I believe that nothing can hurt me or happen to me unless it is allowed by the Lord?"
"Is God's grace all sufficient even when I've had one failure after another?"
"Why doesn't the church reach out to our community in a way that brings change?"
Many of us have had family members face similar situations when they ask questions of God and of ourselves about the "Why's." As I said yesterday, the Millennials' just don't want talkers, they want walkers. They want to know that the God we preach about is available in a crisis situation. That may come at a doctor’s prognosis that their life will come to a short end, or perhaps it will be a split second before an inevitable tragic result in an unforeseen car accident. Maybe even a fear that someone will die of what many in your family succumbed to. A whole lot of problems do come from heredity or learned behaviors, but in a moment of crisis we all ask the same question-"WHY?"
"Are the beliefs, faith, and principles of my elders real or imagined?
"Will everything I face in life be worked out to for the best?"
"Do I believe that nothing can hurt me or happen to me unless it is allowed by the Lord?"
"Is God's grace all sufficient even when I've had one failure after another?"
"Why doesn't the church reach out to our community in a way that brings change?"
Many of us have had family members face similar situations when they ask questions of God and of ourselves about the "Why's." As I said yesterday, the Millennials' just don't want talkers, they want walkers. They want to know that the God we preach about is available in a crisis situation. That may come at a doctor’s prognosis that their life will come to a short end, or perhaps it will be a split second before an inevitable tragic result in an unforeseen car accident. Maybe even a fear that someone will die of what many in your family succumbed to. A whole lot of problems do come from heredity or learned behaviors, but in a moment of crisis we all ask the same question-"WHY?"
When you face that time, it may only be for a brief, fleeting moment. So let me ask you-Will you have the peace that your faith is real? Do you really believe you are in God’s hands? Can you wholly trust that it will all be okay in the end?
Fretting may show that there is doubt and question, but regardless of the generation I find we all have that vulnerability. If you are sure you are saved, and a child of God, then be assured that you are in His hands. Only His will in your life will happen and it will all be as He desires in your life. You will be alright!
Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel." Take it from me, it's not easy to practice what we preach. Yet the Word says that not even trials, difficulties, or death can rob us of our peace in God. It's when we forget that we have questions from time to time that a spirit of arrogance blocks the Spirit of God.
If you are a part of the Millennial generation, God still has a plan for your life. The church isn't perfect and if you find one that is nobody's attending. You want the church to make a difference, then be the one that helps revolutionize this generation for God. God needs you, the community needs you, and we elders do as well. Don't be afraid to ask your questions and become a part of the solution. The church can't exist without you!
If you are a part of the Millennial generation, God still has a plan for your life. The church isn't perfect and if you find one that is nobody's attending. You want the church to make a difference, then be the one that helps revolutionize this generation for God. God needs you, the community needs you, and we elders do as well. Don't be afraid to ask your questions and become a part of the solution. The church can't exist without you!
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