Dear Trekker,
In this Thanksgiving month, just after a national election, there remains a lingering unrest in the country, a malaise, almost a far-reaching despair, especially among young people. It saddens me! The “hope quotient” is pretty low for many. Yet it need not be.
Opportunity for so much good in life always awaits us… just around the corner! Fear and despair are always “dead-ends,” and when we are consumed by our fears, we reveal more about our perspective on life and our inadequacies to cope than the dire nature of any passing situation.
During my adult years, I have always seen youth as the brightest of “life stars.” What hope…what potential… what energy! All our youth (teenagers through the twenties) lack is adult guidance and inspiration, and a few hard-earned lessons of life passed down from the previous generations. When it was my challenge to write a mission statement for a significant national youth organization some years ago, it was, in fact (through the Spirit’s inspiration) quite easy: celebrate life with kids…introduce them to the Lifegiver…help them become like Him (Jesus)! Simple, straightforward, powerful…and so available for buy-in!
Trekker, I often wonder why more of our youth, given the opportunity, don’t jump at the invitation to “get rid of guilt” once and for all, and have the divinely present ability within to “be all they could ever want or hope to be.” As Thomas Jefferson said long ago, “The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time.” The Biblical version, declared by none other than the Lifegiver (Jesus) Himself, goes like this: “I am here (on earth) for one simple, straightforward reason…for all to not only have life, but have it through a relationship with me, far more abundantly than you otherwise could have.” (A free-flowing translation of John 10:10.)
I imagine many youth protesting the nation’s new president (revealing an ignorance of U.S. law as embodied in the Electoral College vote), don’t have a clue of the hope that could be if they received the Lifegiver. Today’s cultural hope is pretty shallow. Favorable strands in the national fabric (obeying the laws of the land, working for a living, raising a family, building relationships beyond “Facebook friends”) of by-gone days, seem passé to many youth today. And they are afraid of what will happen when a new president takes over! (Of course, it has happened only 44 times before!) There is a “state” of denial in our country, and it has no electoral votes…only lament, tears and baseless protest. God help us and our nation!
Yet… the offering of opportunity is facing us daily as we arise! All we have to do is accept it and move out. Yes, carpe diem (seize the day) is ever before us. It has always been so. The apostle Paul reminded his young mentee Timothy, that “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, power and a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7). Timothy was “a youth,” an adult in waiting. He needed encouragement to battle heresy and cultural infections rampant in the 1st century. Times change little…youth need courage to know and withstand cultural rot, ignorance and spiritual warfare. They need rock-ribbed resolve and inner strength to stand against the tide of doubt and defeat. Such power is available through the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, if received and acted upon. In Christ, but only in Him, there is the ability to stand and overcome wounding disappointment.
Then love accompanies such courage and power. Love for one’s fellowman (particularly those in the family of Christ-faith) overcomes all obstacles. Love says “I can do it”…gracefully, helpfully and confidently! Circumstances and threatening situations do not dislodge the lover on a mission to serve and give one’s life for a higher goal. Love, power and a “sound mind” carry the day…always. The sound mind, so essential to youth called to leadership, has been defined as “control of oneself in the face of panic or of passion.” Christ gives a sound mind to each of us. We can exercise self-discipline, which is the bedrock of a sound mind and true freedom. Self-control keeps us from “running away” or being “swept away.” We lead others after we have conquered ourselves.
Are we investing in our youth in America today? Or are we taking their “proper” development for granted… or worse, assuming they already have the knowledge and experience to disrupt and alter the school or college scene? Learning there are winners and losers in very sport, every election, etc. is rather basic to “growing up.”
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” This pronouncement by Paul to the Christians at Philippi resounds throughout history, and is hope for every person, particularly the young person aspiring to make a difference. Yes, we need to rebuild the infrastructure of our country. But the most important infrastructure of any nation is the home. Children must be raised in the “fear (respect) and admonition of the Lord.” They must find hope first in Jesus. Too many youth today are pagan in their hopes, dreams and possibilities for sound thinking, love and ability to overcome adversity. The answer, the opportunity of the hour, is to always receive what God offers. This is for us all, particularly our youth. And this is a self-evident truth so recognized by our U.S. Constitution.
There are opportunities galore for the future of America. For them we should be thankful. But change will be most beneficial when a new heart and spirit invades us. Buoyant spirits in Christ are not fearful; they become nation and world changers.
Called and honored to serve youth for a lifetime.
Your fellow trekker,
Jim Meredith
