Everyone who knows me even a little bit knows
that I am a BIG fan of “The Greatest Generation” (the WWII generation). They never cease to both amaze and provoke
me. Today was no different.
My husband and I chose to be members of a
Sunday school class known as the Crusaders.
It is a class filled with members between 70 and 95 years of age. Considering we are only in our mid thirties,
this choice raised a few eyebrows. We
chose this class because we believe that there is no one more able to teach and
instruct us in both our spiritual and practical life. Today we had a little lunch social after Sunday
school was over. I had made a special
request that everyone bring photos of their “younger” days. (One of my favorite things to do is look
through my own Grandmother’s photo albums).
Pictures of another day and time fascinate
me for many reasons but most of all I enjoy the story that goes with each picture. As we all began to look at the pictures the stories
began to come out. That is the point
that I was once again provoked by this generation of people. Many of them had pictures of themselves and
their children dressed in “Sunday Best”.
Several had at least three or four children pictured. Several not only had pictures of their family
at church, but at our very same church!
One of the couples had even been married in our old sanctuary. So I am sitting in a room filled with a
generation of values and steadfast devotion.
I stopped to think about my generation.
Are we dedicated to raising our children in God’s house? Will any of my generation still be planted in
a local church body 50 years from now to proclaim faithfulness to younger
generations? I am afraid of what the answer may be if we
continue down the same path we are currently on. Everything else seems to take the place of
importance. Ball games, vacations, meetings,
PTA. Somehow we make time for all of the
other things and fail to make time for what is most important; worshiping
together as a family and being a part of a committed body of believers. If we can’t make that commitment to lead our
children in the example that God comes first and everything else falls after,
then what do we think will happen to our youngest generation? Will they magically go off to college with a
strong will and commitment to follow the ways of the Lord? If we have not led by example then what can
we expect from those who are watching us?
Sometimes being in relationship is hard.
Sometimes we may not agree with our Pastor or other church leaders. But in the beginning God had called all things
good except one thing. . . for man to be alone.
Think about that! Adam walked
with God and yet God said it was not good for Adam to be alone. We are meant to journey with others. I have been guilty of being a loner, of being
angry with imperfect churches and wanting to walk with God alone. But God says that is not good. Today the memories the Greatest Generation
brought to our class reminded me of that.
If our children and our children’s children have any hope for the future
then our generation must resolve to walk in the very same greatness. How can we live WHOLLY-HOLY lives if we try
and live them alone?
Psalm 42:4 When I remember these
things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I
went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With
a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
