OK, this is a more serious post, but I've just been wanting to write down some things I have been observing lately and they have been in jumping around in my head. Ive noticed in my generation, there is lack of commitment or loyalty, whether its People feel a certain way and decide to do something, without regard to any people they affect. I've seen it from my friends and peers. I see people at work just quit randomly after our employer spends tens of thousands of dollars on them for training. I have tons of flaws, but have always tried to be a loyal person. I always try to honor my commitments, even if I didn't exactly like it at the time. If I say I am going to commit to a ministry, I do it and put my whole heart into it. I know in the end, God is going to take care of me, and has a perfect plan for my life (wife, future, family, etc). Its just so sad seeing people just fly from one thing to another, without regard for the people they hurt by breaking their responsibilities. I've noticed that both in Tulsa and Dallas-people just feel like they can show up and expect something catered just for them, the way they want it. If they don't feel like it fits their needs, desires, or wants, they just pick up and head somewhere else. I've even seen people walk into church, check the bulletin to see who is preaching, then get back in their car and head to the church on the other end of town for a little church buffet. Or go to worship at one church, and sunday school at another church. I saw that alot in college at Baylor, and even today. People think things aren't like they like them, and 2 weeks later, they just leave. I saw it occur working in youth. There were a couple of people who just left mid-year, not really caring that they had high school guys there that they were mentoring. Very sad. Its the kids who suffer, not the ones who jumped ship. I've seen it in other areas of the church too. Where is the commitment?
I think we have alot to learn from "The Greatest Generation", typically our grandparent's age. Many people think these people are just old and rigid, set in their ways. However, I have learned a lot from them .If you look at most, they are grounded. If you look in the church today, these people still are the people who are giving their all, even as they grow old. They committed long ago, and are still working for the kingdom. I know they endured trials and hardships over the years, but are still there, serving the Lord with a smile. I've been guilty of buffet church since moving to Oklahoma, and I have really been convicted of it lately. I never want my life to be dictated on whether I fit in with a certain group, or based on whether I'm being compleltly fed at church-I mean, we should be feeding all week through spending time with God. When its all about us, it takes the focus off the real person we are there to worship.
So what do you think? Do others see this too in our generation?
