Generation X -- Return to Faithfulness
Greetings in the Lord~
This has been another fun-filled summer of travel, lakeside relaxation, and meeting up with friends and family I haven't seen in a while--such a blessing! However, it hasn't been without some insightful happenings and reflection from the Lord, even a task or two to keep me sharp, I guess.
Anyway, as I have spent time back in my hometown, I've run into childhood classmates and spent time catching up in our town's local watering holes, the same places our own parents used to hang out after our sport games and school functions when we were growing up. Only now, our widening backsides fill those seats and we tell our tales of family life, work and personal interests while our kids are with their friends and out of our hair for a period of time.
Of course, too, our conversations drift to politics of the day and we discuss as "Gen Xers" our thoughts on current events and cultural narratives ever blaring in our ears in the media and we agree that much of the manufactured narratives do not line up with what we've been told or experienced over the years--our generation did not struggle with race wars or religious strife, we all pretty much got along and we were optimistic about the future. Seriously, we grew up watching TV shows like Different Strokes, and In Living Color, and The Cosby's, and Seinfeld and Cheers among others. All these shows emphasized friendship and racial diversity, community and humor and our mindsets reflect that now. Many of us were the last generation to have been brought up in the Church in significant numbers, as well, so we have knowledge in that. But we also were the "latchkey" generation, raised in front of the TV and quite often MTV, and we bear those scars as well, as we value our peers before family, and being cool instead of being true to self or others, and seeking material things, physical gratification and job titles over investing in spiritual growth, loyalty and expertise. We are self-absorbed and charistmatically hedonistic, and as a result, unfaithful and shallow in many ways. We have learned so much but become wise in very little; sad but true. Not surprising, then, that a majority of Gen Xers are divorced at least once or have remained unmarried in their relationships for most of their adult lives. Overall, faithfulness in marriage has really taken a hit for most Gen Xers. That leads to the next overwhelming characteristic of this Gen X generation -- many have left the faith, and those of us who have become born-again Christians or are still faithful to God quite often are looked down upon or excluded with an arrogant, "Nice guys finish last" or "Jesus Freak" label slapped on us, or called "judgmental" or "right wing" if we point out the foolishness of the adulterous, hedonistic, and prideful lifestyles around us. In a nutshell, it seems that most Gen Xers know right from wrong, but are comfortable with sin and rebelliousness because they are arrogant and love the world and themselves more than God. They grew up with God's blessings and have cashed out, so to speak.
Well, today's word comes from Hosea 6-7. These chapters talk about how Israel and Judah have many of the same mentalities as I discussed above. The passages talk about how that generation used flattery to gain trust, all the while plotting schemes for their own advantage; they were completely unfaithful and self-serving. They grew up under the care and training of the Lord, only to turn their backs on Him when left to their own devices. They were worldly, adulterous, and deceitful, only superficially turning to God in their distress but not embracing any true kind of repentance or relationship with Him.
Interestingly, the whole book centers around God telling Hosea to marry Gomer, who He said would be unfaithful to him. It talks of the pain of betrayal and consequences of the adultery, but then God shows His constant and enduring love by having Hosea take Gomer back as his wife after true repentance. So today's word is about returning to God after being unfaithful. Many of Generation X will need to come to the end of themselves before they can recognize their unfaithfulness and truly seek God with all their heart. And then, as they repent of their unfaithfulness to God, the Lord will extend His love back to them, for He is good like that. He will restore back to Himself all those who return with pure hearts. The book of Hosea emphasizes God's love for His people and illustrates that with the example of marriage, the damage of adultery, and reconciliation again to a faithful marriage. Likewise, we can expect to see such happenings for many Generation X people this year in their relationships. So we pray today -- Lord, turn up the heat and consume all that we put our faith in that is not of You so that we may be brought to a place of true repentance and restored faithfulness in You. In Jesus name, Amen.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
This has been another fun-filled summer of travel, lakeside relaxation, and meeting up with friends and family I haven't seen in a while--such a blessing! However, it hasn't been without some insightful happenings and reflection from the Lord, even a task or two to keep me sharp, I guess.
Anyway, as I have spent time back in my hometown, I've run into childhood classmates and spent time catching up in our town's local watering holes, the same places our own parents used to hang out after our sport games and school functions when we were growing up. Only now, our widening backsides fill those seats and we tell our tales of family life, work and personal interests while our kids are with their friends and out of our hair for a period of time.
Of course, too, our conversations drift to politics of the day and we discuss as "Gen Xers" our thoughts on current events and cultural narratives ever blaring in our ears in the media and we agree that much of the manufactured narratives do not line up with what we've been told or experienced over the years--our generation did not struggle with race wars or religious strife, we all pretty much got along and we were optimistic about the future. Seriously, we grew up watching TV shows like Different Strokes, and In Living Color, and The Cosby's, and Seinfeld and Cheers among others. All these shows emphasized friendship and racial diversity, community and humor and our mindsets reflect that now. Many of us were the last generation to have been brought up in the Church in significant numbers, as well, so we have knowledge in that. But we also were the "latchkey" generation, raised in front of the TV and quite often MTV, and we bear those scars as well, as we value our peers before family, and being cool instead of being true to self or others, and seeking material things, physical gratification and job titles over investing in spiritual growth, loyalty and expertise. We are self-absorbed and charistmatically hedonistic, and as a result, unfaithful and shallow in many ways. We have learned so much but become wise in very little; sad but true. Not surprising, then, that a majority of Gen Xers are divorced at least once or have remained unmarried in their relationships for most of their adult lives. Overall, faithfulness in marriage has really taken a hit for most Gen Xers. That leads to the next overwhelming characteristic of this Gen X generation -- many have left the faith, and those of us who have become born-again Christians or are still faithful to God quite often are looked down upon or excluded with an arrogant, "Nice guys finish last" or "Jesus Freak" label slapped on us, or called "judgmental" or "right wing" if we point out the foolishness of the adulterous, hedonistic, and prideful lifestyles around us. In a nutshell, it seems that most Gen Xers know right from wrong, but are comfortable with sin and rebelliousness because they are arrogant and love the world and themselves more than God. They grew up with God's blessings and have cashed out, so to speak.
Well, today's word comes from Hosea 6-7. These chapters talk about how Israel and Judah have many of the same mentalities as I discussed above. The passages talk about how that generation used flattery to gain trust, all the while plotting schemes for their own advantage; they were completely unfaithful and self-serving. They grew up under the care and training of the Lord, only to turn their backs on Him when left to their own devices. They were worldly, adulterous, and deceitful, only superficially turning to God in their distress but not embracing any true kind of repentance or relationship with Him.
Interestingly, the whole book centers around God telling Hosea to marry Gomer, who He said would be unfaithful to him. It talks of the pain of betrayal and consequences of the adultery, but then God shows His constant and enduring love by having Hosea take Gomer back as his wife after true repentance. So today's word is about returning to God after being unfaithful. Many of Generation X will need to come to the end of themselves before they can recognize their unfaithfulness and truly seek God with all their heart. And then, as they repent of their unfaithfulness to God, the Lord will extend His love back to them, for He is good like that. He will restore back to Himself all those who return with pure hearts. The book of Hosea emphasizes God's love for His people and illustrates that with the example of marriage, the damage of adultery, and reconciliation again to a faithful marriage. Likewise, we can expect to see such happenings for many Generation X people this year in their relationships. So we pray today -- Lord, turn up the heat and consume all that we put our faith in that is not of You so that we may be brought to a place of true repentance and restored faithfulness in You. In Jesus name, Amen.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
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