Hope For Our World

Everyone is angry. We are approaching an election season. Pride month has all kinds of people speaking out with very strong emotions. Racial issues in our country haven’t even come close to resolution. Major court decisions with strong opinions on both sides are being shoved around. Our kids face threats of violence and identity crises every single day. Technology has an addictive chokehold on everyone, everywhere. Global relational tensions continue to strain. The world really can seem like a dark place when you glance around. 

But before you swear off the news and sink into a frustrated pit of despair, let me share what has given me so much hope for our world lately: sitting down and having conversations with young people. 

Last week, I was at a week-long summer camp with a bunch of teens. Thank God for his grace because somehow I survived a 20 hour car trip to and from Panama City Beach Florida. On the way back, our entire van smelled like salty, damp ocean farts. The girls were really good at screaming their song requests at me and then yelling at me more when I chose the original version of the song and not the remix that they actually knew. While at camp, we barely slept, but still woke up and poured every ounce of energy we had into creating space and genuine relationships for and with our students. And while there are parts I don’t understand how we survived, I don’t regret a single moment that was sacrificed last week. Those kids are more than worth all of it.

If you have ever volunteered at camp, you know all of this, but surviving the week with some sanity still intact is a miracle in and of itself. But upon my return from camp, after three solid days of sleep and mental dissociation, I can’t help but reflect on how miraculous just spending time with people younger than me really was for my soul. Gen Z and Gen A are inspirational to say the least. Those kids are on fire for truth and authenticity. Man, they give me such hope for our world. 

This is where the conversation gets a little churchy/Christianese. If you aren’t a church goer, please bear with me. People younger than me just do a lot to restore my faith. 

When I was in college, I watched so many friends come to Jesus and take huge steps of faith. I was so inspired by the spark I was seeing ignite in my generation. However, that spark is the smallest flicker when compared to the gigantic faith of the young people behind me. There is real revival happening among our kids and students. Our teens are hungry and attentive. God is raising a generation of truth seekers, justice pursuers, and compassionate thinkers. They are constructing the foundations of lifelong faith, awakening in new life, and driving positive change everywhere. Our kids and teens aren’t the Church and world of tomorrow. They are the Church and world of TODAY!

They are leading. They are loving. They are carrying the torch forward.

I feel like teens get this bad rep as the “trouble makers” and walking hormone explosions. While it is true that teenagers are going through constant changes, and that they may be moody at times, the thoughts floating around in their brains really are fascinating. So many students that I hung out with last week are kind, thoughtful, excited, passionate, and driven. You seriously need to consider getting to know them.

When I was a teenager, the adults that I did grew to trust were such vital influences. Their encouraging words and affirming presence made all the difference to me. Some taught me the strength, love, and faith I carry with me to this day. I know I would have walked into many darker places had it not been for the positive voices of several adults that loved me enough to create space for me to be exactly who I was, traumatized, hormonal emotions and all. Not to sound dramatic, but simply sitting and listening to someone younger than you, showing them they are safe in your presence, can leave a life long impression.

When was the last time you actually had a conversation with someone in their teens? It’s well worth your time. There’s a more than decent chance that they see the world differently than you do, but maybe you’ll learn something just by listening to a fresh perspective. I believe that all generations exist to learn from one another. None of us ever get it exactly right all the time. I think there is a lot of wisdom younger generations can gain from the successes and failures of past generations, and I think there is a lot of passion, optimism, and hope that older generations can glean from younger generations.

I know the world can feel dark at times, but I have never had more hope for the future of our world than after spending a week investing in the lives of our teenagers. Even if you’re not great with conversation, or teenagers scare you, I highly recommend taking time out of your week to listen to their thoughts on the world. You won't regret it, and you might change someone's life for the better. Crazier things have happened.

To my BigStuf Fam, One Youth Crew, and everyone reading,

You are so strong. You are so deeply loved.