Be Present: Choosing gods

Encounter the Word:

“So now: Fear God. Worship him in total commitment. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped on the far side of The River (the Euphrates) and in Egypt. You, worship God.  If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship God.” –Joshua 24:14-15 [Message]

I’m always amused, and slightly irritated, when writers come up with typecasting monikers for young adults, albeit it sometimes earned or appropriate.  The latest one that has popped up in cyberspace is FOMOs [Fear of Missing Out], cited in Rhett Smith’s feature, “Generation Indecision.”   

Smith goes on to say of today’s young adults, “There is a constant feeling in our culture that we might be missing out on something better, therefore, we rarely commit to a decision that we can’t back out of if something better comes along.”

Although I certainly agree that this is generally true, I don’t believe it is especially exclusive to today’s culture.  It seems the children of Israel had the same cultural propensity.  Even the Israelites wanted to "play all their options."

Joshua’s words are just as poignant today as they were in Biblical times, “But suppose you don't want to serve Him. Then choose for yourselves right now whom you will serve.” --Joshua 24:15a [NIV, emphasis added]

Here’s the reality.  Whether we declare it or not: 

 

Every day we choose what or who will be our god. 

Right now, I choose what is first in my life.

Career:  I can sacrifice all other things to climb the ladder to this god.

Causes:  Although well intended, I can make humanitarianism a powerful god.

Cool:  Popularity at all costs.

Competence:  I can impress you with my abilities and skills and personal effectiveness.

Capitalism:  As Donald Trump would say, “It’s just business.”

Cosmetic characteristics:  Radiant skin, vegan-atic, workout junkie, botox groupie, or fashionista--beauty can become queen.

Confidence:  Self esteem can become self absorbing.

There are all kinds of things, attitudes, dreams, and beliefs that I can make into gods by giving them highest priority in my life.  Every day, I choose.

Joshua chose, “As for me and my family, we'll worship God [Joshua 24:15b, NIV].”

May you choose wisely today Who is first in your life.  May you and your family be able to declare, “We are second, we will worship GOD.”

Encounter:

• What can easily take the highest priority in your life if you let it?  What “gods” have you served in the past?
• Right now, who/what do you want to worship?
• How might you express your devotion to Who you are worshiping today? Right now?

Be Present: Door Holders

I've made multiple pilgrimages to Passion Conference. For those not so acquainted with Passion it is a collegiate event in Atlanta with tens of thousands of college students from around the world gathering for the sake of God's renown.

Each trip has been amazing. Although the sheer number of young adults attending is incredible, there is a hidden facet that actually was quite impressive to me. Each year, I have arrived to a volunteer orientation, and have been amazed to find hundreds of adults there to serve these students. Last time I volunteered, there were 1200 adults--that's one thousand, two hundred adults--from all over the country coming to serve.

These volunteers paid their way, accommodations, and took time off from their lives to come and serve. Physicians & plumbers, grandmas & gardeners...all there to serve these students. I was overwhelmed by the mantra that was held by this motley crew of adult volunteers. Each one said in their own way, "I am here to serve these students." Directing traffic, organizing food, information, security, trash pick up, all kinds of jobs. Each task done by an adult investing, often in mundane ways, in the next generation.

Walk to match the talk.

I am again convicted that the world will change if we transcend mere talk about "supporting our youth." As we prepare for GODencounters, a young adult movement passionately pursuing a 24/7 experience of Christ Jesus, I am again reminded of the power of these new generations; But more poignantly, I'm convinced of the importance of older generations willing to open the door for those that follow. I'm here to serve next generations, because it feels like in doing that little bit, I'm serving Him.

What is our role in GOD's Kingdom?

While at the Passion Conferences, as I sat in the midst of hundreds of volunteers, all adults [many my age and older], I was struck by the enthusiasm and energy in the room.  There was vibrancy and smiles.  I was inspired by their eagerness to do our part to nurture new generations and their desire to live for His renown through serving young adults.

Passion founder, Louie Giglio struck a chord in my heart with his comment, "To hold the door for the next generation is what life is all about."

And indeed I have found that to be true in my life.  Life happens so fast.  It seems like just last week I was a 14-year-old working at Camp Kulaqua as a camp counselor, helping to bring campers to a joyful awareness of Jesus' love for us.  It seems like just yesterday I was a academy student planning week of prayer for Forest Lake Academy, trying to lift up Christ on our campus.  Wasn't it just hours ago, I was a collegian touring with the Destiny Drama Company, expressing the power, pertinence, and personality of Jesus through theatre?  Feels like minutes ago, I was serving as a youth/young adult pastor at Central Filipino Church while attending grad school at Fuller.

And all along my "youthful" journey, I can point to adults--compassionate, Christ-like teachers, relatives, parents, ministers and mentors--who held the door open for my generation, allowing us to bask in GOD's presence.

Better is one day in your courts
   than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
   than dwell in the tents of the wicked. --Psalm 84:10 [NIV]

So in this phase of my life, I am a door holder.  Glad to serve at my post, welcoming the glad hearts of the youthful as they seek to encounter GOD.  And there is no other place I would rather be--I'm enjoying this "one day."

Encounter Prayer:

⁸ Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
    listen to me, God of Jacob.
⁹ Look on our shield, O God;
    look with favor on your anointed one.

¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

¹² Lord Almighty,
    blessed are those who trust in you.

--Psalm 84:8-12 [TNIV] 

Encounter:

• Who "held the door for you" when you were younger, inviting you to experience GOD and enter into His presence?  What significance did that have for you then? Now?
• What are some simple ways we can be "door holders" for the next generation? Which are your favorite ways?
• Who is GOD impressing you to mentor?  What is your response to His request to "make disciples?" How might you "hold the door" for your mentee?

 

Young Adults Shelf Christianity...Why?

Barna reports 61% of young adults discontinue being active in the church even if they were active as teens; Dudley suggests that over 50% of Adventist young adults leave the church in their twenties.

I would love to hear some of the reasons you think this is happening. Would even like to hear some examples you know of twenty-somethings leaving the church and why [even without their names].

Finally, would love to have your practical solutions/steps to remedy this situation, if it can be remedied.