What’s the first thing you think of when the word “millennial” pops up in conversation? Spoiled? Self-absorbed? Does it leave a bad taste in your mouth?
From the beginning of time, older generations have informed the younger ones that things were better back in the “good old days,” that the tried and true methods are always best. But in this day and age, there seems to be a new kind of derision associated with those born in the ’90s with a little wiggle room on either end.
It’s a sad and harsh response, but perhaps not altogether unmerited, after all, our parents don’t think we read anymore. They only see a generation of people who want to stay stuck behind a screen, engaging in fantasies while avoiding the life and opportunities that are passing us by as we dream about superheroes and idealism. It has left our parents terrified of leaving the world in our hands and us convinced that the moment we’re handed the keys to the kingdom, we’re going to fail everyone.
That’s a lot of weight to hold on any pair of shoulders.
But here’s the thing about our generation, about millennials; we may love superheroes, but that just means we want to see change. We may be idealists, but that just means we have hope for a better version of tomorrow. But we’re never going to be able to accomplish those goals, see those visions become reality if we have no one who believes in us.
Despite the common belief prevalent in our country that we can do everything on our own with a little faith, determination, and luck, the hard truth of it is, we can do nothing on our own. We need people, we need the different parts of the Body of Christ to keep pushing us when we don’t believe in ourselves. And trust me, as self-confident and assured as we seem, we all have moments of uncertainty and disbelief.
I am no exception. Every day I have to remind myself who I am and whose I am.
I am a daughter of the High King.
I am salt to a broken world.
I am light in the darkness.
I have favor with my Father and I have safe shelter in his arms.
I am redeemed. I am renewed.
But even so, sometimes my feelings get the best of the facts and that’s when it helps to have someone come alongside and remind me of the important things.
I’m about to set off on an eleven month mission trip to eleven different countries all around the world. Most people see an amazing opportunity, and it is, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel a bit daunting every once in a while. I’m on a small squad of twenty women, each uniquely powerful and gifted by the Lord. We know we’re going to see and do great things this year. We know that God has radical, adrenaline-filled, awe-inducing moments coming through which he wants to work with us to touch his people. But that comes with the caveat that Satan is going to do some of his best work to destroy us. It’s like picking up a bottle of prescription pills; if you take them you can save countless lives with the power they give you, but if you read the fine print, you’d see that one of the side effects may be all kinds of pain, harm, heartbreak, and possibly death.
Would you take the pills?
I guess I’ve already answered that question for myself.
And I guess that also brings us back to the hero complex.
But in all honesty and reality, it’s God working through me. It’s me as a human, as a person, as Carole Chamberlin choosing to say “yes” to God when I know that yes isn’t always going to make life fun or easy. But with this choice I know I’m going to be drawn closer, into a more intimate knowledge and relationship with my creator and to me, it’s worth the risk.
So get to know a millennial, you never know what we may do when we set our minds to something. Maybe those idyllic thoughts will one day turn into a reality. So the next time you see one of us on the street or in a coffee shop, give a hug, or some encouragement, or buy them a cup of coffee (or ask if they want the coffee! This millennial would say no, thank you!) But everyone has influence. How will you choose to use yours?
