Archive for March 8th, 2009
Trajectories
Why is it so hard for us to let the next generation extend the trajectory of our own dreams and have dreams of their own?
From my perspective, so many older leaders — in other words, folks who are my age — become bitter toward those who come after them simply for carrying out these older leaders’ dreams in their own generation. Yet when you look closely, that second generation is really only extending those dreams in the language and culture for their generation. The leaders from younger generations are not disrespecting those who nurtured and trained them: quite the opposite. They learned to dream and reach and pursue the goals that God has fostered in their hearts because of the influence of those original leaders.
So, how do we help those original leaders take satisfaction and give encouragement to coming generation for their risks and efforts to honor God and do Kingdom work for their emerging generation?
How do we make our goals be more a trajectory rather than a static target so we can value those who embrace the cause even though they may stretch our original landing point?
Rather than seeing this passion in the generation that follow us as threatening, why can’t we not celebrate their pursuit of faith and desire of reaching their generation?
For years, I have been haunted by the following passage (italics are mine):
After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel (Judges 2:10).
My fear is that we will so over-control those we teach to dream that we allow them no room to grow, dream, experience, and lead in ways where they experience God for themselves.
O God, please convict me and move me to allow the next generations to lead your people in ways that honor You and bring Christ to their culture and time.