Most of us would agree our generation is a generation that questions. We are perpetually told to set aside “old ways of thinking,” and encouraged to challenge anyone in authority (watch any TV show for evidence of this)… This in turn condones us to rebel against our previous generation’s standards, societal rules, and morality in general.
But, “Y” should that matter to me? To us? To everyone else?
Here is an article to get you thinking on what our generation looks like to others… Although somewhat comic in its delivery, the article has some good points. Terms such as “narcissistic”, “lazy”, “self-indulgent”, and “delusional” have all been used to describe the individuals that make up the “Y” Generation: http://www.waitbutwhy.com/2013/09/why-generation-y-yuppies-are-unhappy.html
Convicting? Good. So why should we, as a generation, change?
Let’s get religious. Exodus 20. The 10 Commandments. The Law or “Words” that are supposed to direct our daily lives. But more than just a list of rules or regulations, take a closer look at verses 5 and 6 discussing idols: “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
Back up. Our sin can do what now? Punish the following four generations. But look at God’s promise for those who love and obey Him… The ability to show love to a thousand generations. That, my friend, is a great reason to change our generation.
There is nothing wrong with an honest question. But does our generation ask honest questions, or believe we already know the answers?
How does God call you, as a generation “Y”er, to work and live?
If you had to choose a single problem with our generation today, what would it be and what is your role in making it change?
Additional reading…
http://www.unh.edu/news/cj_nr/2010/may/lw17gen-y.cfm
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/god-our-generation/5-things-world-changers-don%E2%80%99t-do
David how does living with an eternal perspective influence your generation? Or what does it look like in your daily life?
Josh you spelled “spaghettios” wrong. And how do you apply what you learn from previous generations?
Matti i appreciate your follow up question but not sure theres much an answer to that one without specifics.
Ill apply what i learn in a given situation in a way thats applicable to the information received.
One way that I could use the wisdom of the previous generations is learning from their mistakes and successes. An example would be how people have picked non Christian spouses. Seeing how that has effected not only their lives but their childrens as well, gives me motivation to not make that my fate also. So i will make sure that if I do end up getting married, I will be “equally yoked”.
An example of learning from their success would be looking and thinking more long term about things like my finances. Being older, they realize the importance of saving for the future. Seeing this, I can put more thought and effort into saving my money for more long term items such as a house, retirement, hoverboard, waterbed, stockpiling of twinkies (for apocalypse), my 12 dogs and sled for entering into the Iditarod,(or possible snow apocalypse), airplane, personal bowling alley, the complete set of buffy the vampire slayer seasons, ……. Oh and of course… My genuine article, hand made, good as the ones in Italy, brick fire stone oven.
The single biggest cultural challenge today (not just for young people but even more so of them than previous generations) is the ability to think critically. What am I doing about… practicing “Surrender” & “Examine” daily. It helps me daily become more away of who I am, why I’m doing what I’m doing and what God expects of me.
Dang Matti!
Your writing is a lot more powerful then that article!
I think God has called me to live humbly as a person in Generation “y” . To group your 2 questions, I do feel that our main problem is we value ourselves higher than other previous generations. However we would be wise to rid ourselves of this narcissism and come to the honest conclusion that we could really learn from our elders and the generations before us. For me this looks like going out of my way to talk to and learn from the wisdom of the older. Also it stresses the importance of being a student of history
Great read Matti!
And an awesomely difficult challenge.
Often I find myself stumbling down the path of entitlement and looking for affirmation through peers instead of what God says I deserve and who I am. I find the biggest issue in our Gen Y is in our focal point. Now.
I read Pslam 16 this week, and verse 5 and 6 says, “Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (NIV)
My prayer is to be eternally minded as David was. And take it seriously.