I believe one of the great losses amongst young people today is the loss of faith. Remembering that faith is a relational word, I believe young people are losing faith both in humanity and in God. The former we will save for another conversation, but today let me share a few thoughts about the decline of faith in God and how it relates to the decline of hope as well.
1. It’s important to realize that most young people today have not made an intellectual departure from faith. Certainly there are some who have been raised in homes where faith or religion have great importance and significance, but for many the conversation of faith, God, religion or spirituality has never been a topic of conversation. We are quite genuinely living in a day where most young people know very little about faith, religion and God.
2. Whether our society has intentionally or unintentionally relegated faith to the sidelines, that is where it sits. At some point in time (and over the course of time, to be sure) western society made the substitution, pulled God out and put self in. This has been the movement from a meta narrative culture to a micro narrative culture – from God to self. Self is the new MVP.
3. The idea that we are the centre of the universe sounds great at first but quickly disappoints. This is true for so many reasons but for today’s focus simply consider questions such as meaning, purpose, and experience. If self is in the centre, how do we make sense of these? And perhaps even more, when life gets hard and one struggles to find hope, is there anything (or anyone) bigger than oneself to help carry you through?
4. I have seen first-hand so many young people move from despair to hope when they discover some of these beautiful truths that come from God:
“I am not a mistake. I was created by God.”
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139.13-14
“I’m not alone in this. God’s got my back.”
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8.28
“My life and my future is in God’s hands.”
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 28.11
“I am unconditionally loved.”
In all these things we are more than conquerors though him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8.37-39
Hope and faith are intricately tied to one another. They are dancing partners that move together with intention, grace and beauty.
As we seek to be a community of faith, hope, and love, we believe these great truths – these grand narratives – are imperative to caring for young people holistically. We all need hope in something bigger than ourselves. We simply believe that the “something” is a “someone” and that someone is a loving God!
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