Summer is in the air, school is out, and young adults are graduating. Fifty years ago, it was me! WOW, how can this be? The saying is true: time flies when you are having fun.
Recently, I met a young man who is hungry for God. He has lots of questions, wants to understand the Bible, and wants to know God’s plans for his life. He is praying, reading his word, surrounding himself with people who will teach him, and listening to God’s voice. I have also noticed he is not the only one. Young people all around are desiring God and desiring mentors to help them grow daily in their walk with Him.
My relationship with the young man has reminded me of the ladies who helped me on my journey in my relationship with God. These ladies took me under their wing. They took their precious time to sit down with me to answer the questions I had about God and His Word. They taught me how to pray and how to study the Bible. They taught me how to love unconditionally. They taught me to trust God no matter what happened in my life.
These ladies were my grandmother and two ladies from my church. I am so thankful for all the love poured out on me to direct me in my life. The impact they had on my life is immeasurable. I don’t know where I or my family would be without the love and influence of these precious ladies who loved me unconditionally. When I made wrong decisions that led to many mistakes, they reached out and encouraged me to stay focused on Jesus. When life was the hardest, they were there to pray for me, and I will forever be grateful to them.
As I thought about these ladies, I asked myself a question: What am I doing for this next generation? They are the generation full of questions—the ones who don’t just accept a yes or no question but want to know the whys and hows. The ones who are hungry for something, but they don’t know what it is. The ones who may not look like me or what I think they should look like. The ones that are confused about who they are. The ones that want someone to listen to them.
We must open our hearts to them, guide them, answer their questions, take time with them, and love them unconditionally.
Do we have a genuine love for this younger generation? So many people have negative things to say about these young adults, but I have found that they need someone to listen to them. Listening has become a lost art. We must listen to people with our hearts. I believe that when we listen with our hearts, we truly hear what the person is saying. They don’t want to be judged but heard. When we show them love, they will listen to us too.
What can we do to help this next generation? We need to pray and ask God to show us the young adults we can help. We need to determine in our hearts that we are going to love them and help them grow in their life. Can you imagine what would happen to this world if every Christian would pray and ask God to give them a young adult to mentor? A person we could help grow in their relationship with God. A person that we could listen to and help them with their struggles.
We must pray for this generation. Spend some time with these young adults. Love them unconditionally and be there for them as long as they need us. I want to challenge you today to ask God to send a young man or woman into your life. Love them and help them to grow in their knowledge of the word of God. Teach them what to do when the battle gets hard. Teach them to pray. Teach them to turn away from sin and live a life of integrity. If we do this, we will see many grow and mature in God. Not only will we help them, but we will also be loved by them. Isn’t this what everyone wants…to be loved unconditionally?
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4 ESV)
“And let us consider how to stir up on another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV)
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves; Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” (Romans 15:1-2 ESV)
Patti League
Lean into Jesus Ministries
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