Pastor's Column 8/13/2023

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and [the young] will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31, NLT

“New Strength and NewGen!”

Any nation or institution is in great peril, when an emerging generation of leaders are weakened, and left bereft of resources, before they could ever begin to make their mark on humankind. If the relentless chaos of our times is not reversed, we will lose a gifted and promising generation whose contributions to humankind are essential for meaningful survival. Depression among teens (12-17) and young adults (18-25) is over 17% respectively. One out of four persons in these groups have signs of anxiety and depression for which professional attention is needed. The kind of world we live in contributes to these debilitating issues. Much of the digital technology and Artificial Intelligence A.I.), with its well-choregraphed algorithms (“internal language”) is aimed at influencing those who are more vulnerable among us. There are control factors inherent in many of these systems, that “tell” a person “how to think;” “how to look;” “what to engage in;” and so forth. These issues are more immediate for all who live in the 21st Century; however, the Scripture speaks to other bleak periods in history, where the young among us were vulnerable. The prophet Isaiah, also living in a world of moral and spiritual disintegration, warned the people that the young especially were falling, failing, and fading. The times were taking a toll on the emerging generation; which was the hope of the nation’s future. Isaiah said, the thinking and actions must be shifted. The young and mature aged, must put their “trust in the Lord.” The message is, the young are not immune from stress and anxiety; but there is healing and safety in aligning one’s self with God. The mature, among the young and older, must reach out to the NewGen. We must help them navigate life: to run, be alert, and soar!