Society is selling us teens and young adults the idea to live recklessly and have "fun" while we are young. Songs screaming through the radio are encouraging my generation to "get lucky", "get some", and plenty of other terms I'd rather not even mention. Anytime you turn on the television, you'd better have the remote handy just in case your show goes south or a commercial you weren't prepared to see comes on.
We
are getting so desensitized to sin. Society is feeding us the lie that it
doesn't matter what's wrong as long as it's right for you. There are no
absolutes. And this is the standard (or lack thereof) the world is setting for
my generation. Not that any of this is new or a surprise to you. Things have been
like this for many years; they've just seemed to get worse in the past few.
Since teenagers are being spoon fed all this rubbish, they
use it as an excuse. "It's okay to rebel. I'm expected to do stupid stuff
at my age." (I have literally heard that spoken out loud. I thought the
guy was joking. He didn't crack a smile.) Ever hear people say, "I did a
lot of stupid things in college/high school." Or "Your most stupid
years are 16-21."? Because of this, some teenagers are using their age and immaturity to justify
anything and everything they want to do or try.
Now, don't run and tell everyone, "Caryn said to be a Christian means you can't have fun!!". It's not a sin to have fun and enjoy yourself.... but it is a sin to partake in worldly fun.
Some don't just use their youth as an excuse for doing
stupid things, but as an excuse to not
do what they are called to do. Usually out if insecurity, they say they'll
reach out for their destiny when they are older or more mature. Besides,
they're a kid, what could they do to make an impact for the better?
Both are
lies and detrimental to our future as the human race.
So here's the thing: I want to change all that. I want to
live by the standards Christ set for me while I'm young. Who knows if I have
anything but my teen years? We aren't even promised tomorrow. I’m praying my generation
has a Fire lit within them and we can be an example to the next up and comers.
(By the way, I consider every human being alive right now as my generation.) I
don’t want any regrets. I hear so many people talking about what they regret
doing when they were a kid. We weren’t made to be regretful! We were made to
seize opportunities and love people!
My plea to my fellow young adults is this: let’s live for
Christ now! Not when we are “more qualified” or more mature. That’s never going
to happen. I love how Ecclesiastes 12:1 puts it, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the
evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in
them’” (emphasis mine)
God has put passions in each of our hearts. What’s yours?
What are you going to do to impact your world? Who are you going to love
recklessly? What people group really tugs at your heart strings? It’s amazing
how God puts specific burdens on His children’s heart to guide them in the way
they should go. Let’s not waste our days. Pray and ask God for guidance on how
you can be most effective in your community and in the lives around you.
And the cool thing is, God wants to use YOU to impact other’s lives. How exciting that we get
to do that!!
Here are some Bible passages that have really spoken to me
in the past few days:
“Then I said, ‘Alas, Lord God! I do not know how to speak,
because I am a youth.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am youth,”
because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command, you shall
speak.’” Jeremiah 1:6-7
“Let no one look down on you for your youthfulness, but
rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of
those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:12
“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to
myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from
the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts
20:24
So, are you with me? Want to change the world? Go out there today and be all God
created you to be (which is absolutely **amazing**).
