According to the experts, I’m part of the demographic known as Generation X. Maybe you are too. Born between 1965 and 1980, we’ve been described as being cynical about life, fearful of commitment, and spiritually lost. Ouch!
Some of these characteristics are echoed in The Verve’s classic Gen-X song “Bitter Sweet Symphony.” It begins by stating that life is bitter; no matter how hard you work, money is your slave until death. Here’s Generation X’s cynicism showing: Life could be beautiful, but we’re trapped in a profit-driven world. Another line in the song states how people live out ever-changing versions of themselves. Unsure of who we are and what we’re here for, Generation X feels pulled in all directions. Things get hopeful when the musician states that he can change. But no—the next line laments that he can’t change his mold.
Scripture calls each generation to “tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord” (Psalm 78:4). As the reality of God is passed from parent to child to grandchild (Psalm 78:6), each generation can find personal faith and avoid the pitfalls of faithlessness (Psalm 78:7-8). As a generation raised without a clear focus on God, perhaps Generation X shows what happens when this process breaks down.
But there’s hope. The author of “Bitter Sweet Symphony” continues by saying he never prays, but that in this moment he’s on his knees. Longing for identity, we can become children of God (1 John 3:1). Longing for purpose, we can impact the world (Matthew 5:13-16). Longing for hope, Generation X—and all of us—can find it by calling out to God.
That’s my story. Once spiritually lost, I can say from experience the lost can be found and the mold can be changed in Jesus.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ephesians 4:1-16
More:
Read Acts 2:21 and consider what it says God has provided for those who call out to Him in faith.
Next:
How are you sharing Jesus with the next generation? If you’re spiritually lost, will you take a risk and call out to God? Why or why not?
Gary Shultz on December 1, 2016 at 6:13 am
Hi Sheridan, As the book of Ester and past cc singer Wayne Watson sang “For such a time as this” we were placed upon the earth. God did that on purpose, so here I am, the generation before you, but I fit into the puzzle where God would have me. There are differences as to how the world is view by each generation, and I’m sorry to say, not with pride, but each generation seems to stagger adrift further from God. We are still all human, but differences carve different approaches to the reality of life and how it should be lived. So we that have a foundation in Christ should be reaching out. Sometimes I think it is real important to know how each generation views life, then when you deal with an individual, its really about just them. There are so many differences, urban, rural, north, south, UKs, and on and on the differences go. So since I’m not an evangelist, I try to speak to each person as that a person. Thanks Sheridan
hsnpoor on December 1, 2016 at 6:42 pm
And I’d be willing to bet your one-on-one, person-to-person style has had an impact on bringing people into the Kingdom that you probably can’t even imagine. I agree, although it is good to have a general knowledge of the background of people, it’s their individual backstory that is important in how we witness to them, combined with never losing focus that the same Creator created us all and He can take us from where we are to where we need to be in spite of our backgrounds, backstories and anything else that appears to be a hindrance, in our estimation. Our estimation is never complete until we bring God to bear on the situation.
gagirllive on December 1, 2016 at 6:38 am
I’ve never heard that song before, Sheridan, but the lyrics sound a lot like Ecclesiastes to me. I guess no matter what generation we’re from we are all plagued with the same thing—all of life is vanity until we find our home in God. Neither I, nor my children, qualify as Gen Xers, but those characteristics resonate with who we were (still are for some of us) before Christ. For sure, that is the only way the mold can be broken—when we are made new and find our significance and purpose in Him. This psalm in today’s reading is a testament to how very crucial it is to “show and tell” the next generation about the reality of God—what He has done in the past and what He’s still doing today. I’m a firm believer that the impact is “caught” more than it is “taught” when it comes to our children. They need to actually see the beauty of Christ in us—the joy and satisfaction that comes from being in relationship with Him. They need to see the difference He makes in our lives, in our attitude, in our response to difficulties, in our commitment to serve and glorify Him no matter the cost. They need to know truth and experience grace and real love from us. Wish I could say that as a Christian mom I’ve done all that perfectly, but no need to go there. I have tried very hard to “pass it on” though, in both words and example, but as you know, it is God’s work. As I pray and wait for my prodigals, I remind myself of how much of God’s word has been poured into them and His promise that He will not let it return void. In the meantime, I will keep telling them—and anyone else from ANY generation who will listen—the wonderful story of Jesus and His gospel. Always great to read something from you, Sheridan. Thanks for the encouragement. Grace and peace today, everyone.
Gary Shultz on December 1, 2016 at 8:17 am
Hi GG posted on your comment yesterday this morning. It is on yesterdays post.
sandy229 on December 1, 2016 at 10:16 am
You’re so right GAgirl, They do need to see the beauty of Christ in us and the joy and satisfaction that comes from being in relationship with Him. I also wish I could say I was a perfect Mom, but I know and God knows I wasn’t, but that doesn’t mean we give up, rather we hang on to the promise He made to bring our children back.
One of the greatest heartaches of any believing parent occurs when one of their children has rebelled against the ways of the Lord. God’s Word offers comfort and hope in this situation. He understands. Much of the OT is the story of God’s children straying. He knows our heartaches. And He promises to bring our children back!! He promises that ultimately they will come back to the ways they were taught as children (Proverbs 22:6), that peace will be their portion as they encounter Him (Isaiah 54:13), and that He will fight for us to see salvation come to them (Jeremiah 49:25). Jeremiah 31:17. I know this is true as I patiently wait for my oldest son to return to Him…..God gives us the peace and assurance to know that some day, this will happen. So we claim this promise knowing it will happen.
gagirllive on December 1, 2016 at 10:19 am
Amen, sister! 🙂
sandy229 on December 1, 2016 at 10:34 am
You are right Sheridan, Gen X is cynical, and Millennials want everything handed to them on a silver platter, or maybe even a gold platter so they can keep the platter…..they are impatient, want everything without paying a price. They seek instant gratification. The only way we can witness to them is like GAgirl says, being a good example and allow them to see the beauty of Christ in us and the joy and satisfaction that comes from being in a relationship with Him. However, they see what they wanna see, so it’s hard sometimes to be a good example to them because one slip up and they assume we are not what we say we are, however it is not our job to transform people into Christians overnight and it is not our job to convict them of their sin. It isn’t our responsibility to make people do what’s right or what we think they should do. Our job is just to bring them to Jesus, let the Holy Spirit do the rest, then God will perform His divine work in their lives. We are to be the fragrance of Christ by which others learn of God’s life changing power over sin. Both of my boys are Gen X as well as my husbands 3 boys. They are all cynical at times, and all we can do is be a good example, and not do anything that would lead them to think we are not what we say we are.
Shalom
minkjh on December 1, 2016 at 4:45 pm
Great thoughts, Sheridan. Although I’ve never ascribed to labeling, I would be classified a ‘boomer’ due to date of birth; I probably fit more into the ‘mature’ category, much to the chagrin of my offspring. Some of us may recall a certain philosophical resident of the Okefenokee, one Pogo Possum, who uttered the famous line ‘We have met the enemy and he is us’. Your quote from Psalm 78:4 is a call-to-arms for this age, but sadly, we’re dealing with a severe malady of multi-generational disinterest, save for a faithful remnant. Over the past fifty-plus years we’ve managed to have God moved from the back-burner to now off the stove completely. Nearly 500 years ago God used a German monk with a mallet to hammer His truth home and change the course of history by giving the church a reformed identity, purpose, and hope. Today, who will answer the divine call found in Isaiah 6:8?
street on December 1, 2016 at 4:46 pm
as i read this it reminded me of what i heard about being human from psychology. they pretty much agree with the idea that we need something to trust or believe in, something to look forward to, and something to love. faith hope and love. God is the only One who can fill this prescription and give life. yes, we have a responsibility to hand off the baton to the next generation. it better to do this by living instead of judgment.
hsnpoor on December 1, 2016 at 6:34 pm
I never noticed until today that Romans 10:13 is an exact replica of Acts 2:21 and vice-versa. I know the scripture from Romans by way of having the “Romans Road” presentation of the Gospel drilled into my head. So, when it was cited in today’s lesson, it literally leapt off the page at me. Clearly a very instructive scripture reference! I’m dumbfounded I never noticed this before….