GENERATIONAL CHANGE

by Glenice Mills

A number of years ago I wrote a word about the ‘generation gap’. It was a saying that came about during the 60’s and 70’s when there was a cultural shift in morals, and life values. It was the beginning of a greater rebellion against God and His ways. It was a defining time in history. It was the beginning of pitting one generation against another. The good news was, it also saw the birth of the Jesus movement.

The words ‘generation gap’ have brought consequences that to this day have defined groups according to age. It has locked people into what man says are a particular group people should belong too. It has shaped culture since. The truth is the enemy has lied and bondage has resulted.

The dictionary meaning of gap is a breach in hedge, fence or wall; empty space, interval, deficiency, and wide divergence in views.
The result of a gap is a chasm, a divide that has to be filled.  Guess who fills the gap? The enemy! He has promoted the mindset of the wide divergence of views of misunderstanding between the generations.
Instead of us embracing the differences we have succumbed to the great age divide.

A gap brings separation, a divide, division, a ‘them and us’. This ‘them and us’ leads to isolation, which results in a superiority and pride. It creates a social and cultural divide. It breeds inclusiveness and exclusiveness.

It is interesting to note in most churches there are group divisions such as youth, married, young mothers, and elderly. There is nothing wrong with these groups getting together meeting their individual needs. However the problem arises when there is no cross-pollination among the different groups. The danger is a fragmentation – a breaking off, casting out because of a hidden prejudice.

It is such a fine line and the lie is subtle. It distorts what God truly represents, and that is family – all ages, sexes, and nations meeting together as one in true unity in diversity. It is where there is mutual honour and respect. The walls of division come down and the building of true oneness in God, each gleaning the unique aspects of the different groups begins to form.

The Lord reminded me where over twenty years ago I foreran a programme in the kindergarten I led where the elderly from a neighbouring old people’s home would come visit us for a short time once a fortnight. It was interesting to watch the children’s reaction and also the way the elderly responded. We used to bake something for morning tea and prepare a musical item. The elderly came alive, were excited and willingly joined in our activities.

We also used to regularly go and visit them at the old people’s home where they would entertain us with an item and provide morning tea. Friendships and bonds were made and the walls of division came down.

Of interest was the Asian children were so much freer in relating to the elderly and most other children struggled to connect.
It is interesting to note that in recent times they are planning both old age facilities and childcare/preschools in the same grounds. There is a mutual benefit for all.

The truth is God created us to need one another. We dare not fall into the trap of favouring one particular group over another. The Lord’s heart is about legacy. It is about us all embracing our differences and drawing what we need from one another. The young need the wisdom of the older ones and the older ones need the zeal of the young. Together we are an expression of the fullness of God.

The Lord has burdened me with the importance and how crucial it is that we encourage, promote, and allow the expression of the young to have a voice. That is not just an occasional opportunity to preach, or share, but to provide a platform for them to be who they are truly called to be. It is drawing out the gifts, anointing and unique ways they have so we will also be fired up. The Lord is rising up some young ones with maturity beyond their years, with a social conscience, and there is a quickening of positioning for them so they can be most effective. Time is short and we dare not hold them back as we need them to forge ahead to bring about His Kingdom purposes.

This word may appear to encourage the generation gap by singling out one particular group, - the young, however God is highlighting some and we need to know who He is speaking and revealing His truth too. Inclusivity encourages all to be all they are called to be no matter the age, sex or culture.

Joel 2:28,29
“And it shall come to pass afterward
that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

God is and will pour out His Spirit on all flesh – that is the young, the old, male and female. There will be no exclusive groups, but all loving, supporting, in unity being and doing all God has anointed them too.

We must be aware where we break into our groups according to age, but rather draw from one another the unique expressions of God, so together we can begin to display the fullness of Jesus Christ in His body of believers. Let’s recognize where we have believed and accepted the lie about the generation gap, repent of the division and move toward one another, encouraging, standing with and wanting the best. Be quick to repent of comparisons, jealousies and making judgments that encourage division. Watch what we say – “The young have it so easy, they don’t have to go through decades of hardship like we did.” I often hear the older ones say this. We don’t know and see the big picture of what God is doing in this hour, but what I have noticed is He is doing a quick work in the young because time is short and He needs them to mature in Him because evil is increasing. We need one another like never before. Let’s embrace the different expressions and move forward together. We are on an exciting journey!