Dec. 17, 2001
The Young Ones and the Ones that are Young at Heart
DEFINITIONS
Young ones refers to those who are between the ages of 1 - 30
Young once refers to those who are between 30 and above to 60
Young at heart refers to those who are 60 above.
VISION RECEIVED
I saw a racing boat, manned by people with oars on both sides. Seated on
that boat were the young ones at the front, followed by the young once in
the middle and the young at heart were at the end of that boat.
There was an intensity that I saw in the faces of each person reflecting
their desires to win this race, but there was one problem that I noticed.
The whole group was not able to function as a team.
I noticed that each generation was speaking a different language and using
a
different technique in maneuvering their oars.
The young once seemed able to keep up with what the young ones were doing
better. However, I noticed many of the young at heart were shaking their heads.
This new technique that the young ones were using was just too
complicated for them.
APPLICATION
Today as we watch the world change around us and with new innovations coming out
each day. The same dilemma faces God's people.
This applies not just to technological changes and gadgets that are being
used today in our daily living, or at work or in ministry. At times
it extends even to our habits and attitudes.
Since each of these generations were brought up under different time
settings, there exists between them a
chasm or a gap which if not
handled properly can cause a lot of problems.
This gap is often enlarged and magnified by our spiritual enemy who
has
been sowing seeds of confusion, doing work of destruction, and causing
miscommunication between us. His targets are not limited to family
settings but extends to all areas of relationships, including the
world of
academics and even commerce.
GODS MESSAGE TO ALL
I felt God wants us to remember this today.
No matter what generation we belong to. We each are an integral part of
God's kingdom and His work in these days and the days to come.
We must not look down or take for granted the virtues of each generation,
especially those who belong to the young at heart. This is the generation
who has the wisdom that only experience and years of toil can bring.
The young ones must never look down or despise them or think that they have been
left behind by time just because they cannot expertly adopt to some of the
modern tools or ideas of the day. There is a sowing in their lives that can
only be achieved by years of experience and hard toil.
God valued them, and we too must develop the same attitude of respect and
honor to the authority resting upon their lives.
The young once have to act as the catalyst to bring each generation
together. Having been exposed to both worlds and given the insight to
understand each generation has put them in a place of importance. Patience
must be a trademark for this generation.
We must not look down, either, upon the zeal of the young ones. They are
the future leaders of our nations. No matter how difficult they may be to
understand at times (for those of us who belong to the young once and young at
heart group). We must trust that God is at work in them.
The Lord is using and blending the strength that is present in each
generation for the work that He has prepared for them to do in the coming days.
We must seek to work in harmony and in respect of one another all the time.
A PRAYER
"Heavenly Father, You remain steadfast from generation to generation. Help
us this day to learn how to live with each other and open also our hearts and
minds that we will be able to understand the language of the heart.
Cover Your people against any plot by the enemy to put a hedge or to
separate the generations for we are one in You.
For those whose relationships have already been destroyed, bring healing to
the generations.
Help us all to focus upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. The
One who started a good work in all of us and the One who will be faithful to
bring it to completion.
Grant us the grace to be able to blend in like a beautiful tapestry
that is being weaved by You. Bring
each thread from each generation to
heighten the beauty of Your Masterpiece.
We ask this through Christ’s, our Lord and Savior's, name. Amen!"
PROPHETIC PROMISE & WARNING
Malachi 4:5-6
"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and
dreadful day
of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and
strike the land with a curse."
May we take heed and not be afraid to humble ourselves before God and one
another lest we miss God's blessings.
Sis. Ching Co
Cebu City
Philippines