When I was in Sunday School we used to sing the song, "This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine. This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine."
I learned early on in my life about being a light in the world. I understood that light overcomes darkness. In the midst of the incredible pressures and challenges that we face in our world, do you still believe that light overcomes darkness?
The statistics we hear and read about the world we live in are staggering. Honestly, Church, we have lost a lot of ground. From the Baby Boomer, GenXers, and even Millennials the world is very different for GenZ. As the saying goes, "This ain't your mama's world anymore!"
Despite everything we see and hear God continues to raise up the next generation to reach their world.
I have preached a message entitled, "Every Generation Gets One Chance to Cross the Jordan." The generation leading the Children of Israel out of bondage had the opportunity to cross the Jordan River. They chose to send in 12 spies to check out the land. When they returned from their fact-finding trip. There were ten spies who said there are giants in the land and the people live in walled cities (like Jericho). There report struck fear and they were afraid to move forward, despite being given the promise that God would go with them.
But two of those twelve spies (Joshua and Caleb) who said, "Yes, there are walled cities, the giants are big, but you should see the grapes!"
But the people of Israel believed the report of the ten and shrunk back for the promise from God and lost their opportunity to possess the promised land. The result was that the Children of Israel wandered aimlessly in the desert for forty years.
But after a generation all died, including the leader Moses, the next generation was given the opportunity to possess the land. Those days of wandering were over. Joshua became the leader. For forty years he has been talking about what he and Caleb had seen. They had been strategizing, planning, and dreaming of the time they could cross the Jordan to face the giants and those walled cities.
When Joshua became the leader with the promise from God he immediately took action to get the people ready to cross the Jordan and move into the land that flowed withmilkd and honey, the land of promise.
Church it is time! We no longer have the option to sit back idly and do nothing. J.P. Morgan said, "The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you're not going to stay where you are."
I would say the first step is to decide to do something!
Jesus prayed a powerful prayer in in John 17 that really should mobilize and empower His Church to do something! I am challenging you for the sake of GenZ and the Alpha Generation (your kids and grandkids) to not sit back and watch, it is time to do something.
It is time to pray. It is time for us to get ready for a generation to cross the Jordan.
I believe that GenZ is positioned and ready, if we can empower them they can and will make an impact for Christ in their world and generation.
Henry Blackby said in the book Experiencing God, "Take a look around and see what God is doing. Then join him."
I am going to help you take that look. Just yesterday I was talking to a GenZ leader. He was telling me about what God was doing. He told me the things that he was involved with at his school. He told me about their FCA leadership meeting. Then he was telling me about the group of guys who meet for Bible Study and prayer at their school. Then about a leadership group students in the Twin Cities who are planning a big event to share their stories with their peers.
He is just one young man in a school, but there are students just like him in our churches and schools who are ready to cross the Jordan.
There are 67,000 middle, junior, and senior high schools in America. I believe that in every school in America there are high impact students who want to impact their schools and peers for Christ.
Act 1:8 say, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
This generation is ready to cross the Jordan! Yes, they know there are giants and walls, but despite those obstacles GenZ is willing and ready make their mark in their Jerusalem (their schools), Judea, Samaria, and ends of the earth.
Church, let's not give the quasi support like we have to other generations (GenX, GenY/Millennials). Light still overcomes darkness. So, let's do whatever we can to encourage, equip, and empower this generation of young Christ followers in reaching America's Greatest Mission Field, the Campus and their world.
Yes, they are young people. But being a young person today is a lot different then when you and I were a young people. But just like the GenX and GenY/Millennials we understand they grow up very quickly. It will not be long and they be leading in our homes, boardrooms, the church house, court house, and the White House.
Church we cannot miss this one! Even though it may seem dark in our world, light still overcomes darkness. So this little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine.