Generational Agenda
Our 3rd Youth Prayer Conference was held in Penang from 10 - 13 March. The theme: Crossing Over. This phrase was taken from Joshua chapter 1 when God asked the Israelites to Cross the Jordan River in order to get into the promise land. To me this theme, which was first adopted by the organising comittee (Joshua House @ Penang Wesley) reflected God's intention for his young people to Cross over from where they presently are to inherit God's promises. It was a challenge for His people to respond to the Father's love in receiving what God has already intented to give them.
I believe that God has specific purpose for His people from different generation. In a way there is a generational agenda in the heart of God. In the story of the Isrealites, one generation was not able to inherit God's promise to enter the promise land. Due to unbelief and a heart that is still set on Egypt they were not able to move forward. ('They went backward, and not forward - Jer. 7:24).
Is it possible for us to miss God's generational agenda in our business to do God's ministry?
God is constantly working at prepare an entire generation to fulfill His purposes. But this fulfillment is not possible without the Joshuas and Calebs. Often times, we refer to Joshuas and Calebs as the 'younger generation'. But we must not forget that Joshua was already about 40 when we led an army to cross the Jordan. In other words, this work of crossing over does need a slightly older and matured person in leadership.
Last year as i was preparing to speak at a Prayer Conference, I stumbled over an eye-opening truth. Gideon, who represented a "younger generation" was asked by God to tear down an altar that his father had built (see Judges 6:5). As i reflected on this truth, i realise that every generation is capable of either fulfilling or ignoring God's generational agenda.
As we become serious and committed at fulfilling God's generational agenda, it is also important for us not to become too over critical of the older generation. History constantly teaches us that each generation, is capable of falling away from God. If not of God's grace which constantly keeps us in line with God's Will, we would not be able to fulfill what is in the heart of God for our generation.
Btw, Gideon did eventually fall. His idol became his success in his ministry (see Judges 8:27). This is a solemn warning for us that we are no better than our forefathers.
I believe that God has specific purpose for His people from different generation. In a way there is a generational agenda in the heart of God. In the story of the Isrealites, one generation was not able to inherit God's promise to enter the promise land. Due to unbelief and a heart that is still set on Egypt they were not able to move forward. ('They went backward, and not forward - Jer. 7:24).
Is it possible for us to miss God's generational agenda in our business to do God's ministry?
God is constantly working at prepare an entire generation to fulfill His purposes. But this fulfillment is not possible without the Joshuas and Calebs. Often times, we refer to Joshuas and Calebs as the 'younger generation'. But we must not forget that Joshua was already about 40 when we led an army to cross the Jordan. In other words, this work of crossing over does need a slightly older and matured person in leadership.
Last year as i was preparing to speak at a Prayer Conference, I stumbled over an eye-opening truth. Gideon, who represented a "younger generation" was asked by God to tear down an altar that his father had built (see Judges 6:5). As i reflected on this truth, i realise that every generation is capable of either fulfilling or ignoring God's generational agenda.
As we become serious and committed at fulfilling God's generational agenda, it is also important for us not to become too over critical of the older generation. History constantly teaches us that each generation, is capable of falling away from God. If not of God's grace which constantly keeps us in line with God's Will, we would not be able to fulfill what is in the heart of God for our generation.
Btw, Gideon did eventually fall. His idol became his success in his ministry (see Judges 8:27). This is a solemn warning for us that we are no better than our forefathers.
Labels: Spirituality
posted by Pastorpher at 4:04 pm
1 Comments:
hi Pastorpher,
I believe you may have hit on an important deficiency in our theology. We then to think individualistic (I and me) but God thinks in terms of generations (his people and his kingdom).
Post a Comment
<< Home