Saturday, September 27, 2008

Generational Impact

I was on a walk yesterday and saw these two girls, they must've been 9, tops. One was texting and the other exclaiming something to the effect of " You can't break up with someone that fast!" Appalling, huh? They're just kids. This little encounter led me to do some thinking.



What's making kids think that it's good to try to act older? What's telling them that they need to? The younger generation has been exposed to so much media, it's shaping who they are. Not to specifically blame anybody, but secular kids' channels such as Disney are constantly telling kids what they should be like. I know Hannah Montana, for one, has a huge effect on younger kids, especially girls. I know we're like, "Oh, it's just stupid, " or whatever, but it's so much more than that. TV is telling our little brothers and sisters and all younger kids how they should be living life. Characters have become idols for them, something they feel like they should live up to at all costs. Have any of you seen these entire room sets based around Camp Rock and Hannah Montana and such? Why is that? People are making millions corrupting the upcoming generation.



But what we need to realize is, we can make a difference. I lead worship for the children's ministry at church, and I think it's incredible to see how much they look up to me. Not because it's me, necessarily, but it's this certain kind of effect that teens have on younger kids. Even just walking through the mall or whatever, kids are drawn to you. You may not realize it, but they watch you. Everything that you do is setting an example for them to follow. As teens, we are in a phenomenal place where we can affect the lives of the younger generation. I remember specific girls that I looked up to when I was little and I distinctly remember things that they said to me or did for me. Not even just a few years ago, but when I was really young, like in preschool. I grew up wanting to be just like them. It spoke to me, even before I fully realized it, that I admired them because they cared about me and I saw how they interacted with their friends and with guys and how they responded to things. We can have that same effect on the kids we know. One question remains, how?



1. Lead by example. What you say is important. But for your words to hold any worth, you have to back them up with ACTION. Remember that they watch you, and they take their lead from what you DO, not just what you say.



2. Get involved. Kids do watch you, whether you're involved in their lives or not. However, it is our responsibility to make sure that they grow up to be all they can be and are following after God with all their hearts. What's the best way to do that? Be involved in their lives. Most of us have the opportunity to talk to plenty of kids, but if you don't, then make opportunities. There are about a million different ways you can impact kids, you just have to find them.



3. Pray for them. This is huge. The surest way you can change the world is through prayer. Pray for them. Pray with them. Let them know that their concerns are important. I babysit a lot and something I almost always do is pray for them. After they go to bed, it's customary for me to just walk through their house, praying blessings over them. Devote some of your prayer time to praying for the upcoming generation, because it's through them that the work God has started in us will be continued.



4. Encourage them in the things of God. Words are so powerful. We have the authority to build up or tear down. SPEAK good things into their lives. Encourage them to make wise choices, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because we want to strive to glorify God in everything we do. Show them how they can make a difference and stand out for Him even now and get them to think about the eternal aspect. Speak things over them that will affect them, that they'll remember. Most of all, allow God to guide your words. He knows exactly what each child needs in that very moment.

2 comments:

sallytalksalot said...

i totally know what you mean. we talk about it alot. sad story in the begeining. anyways, this is "cory". add me @ unorigionallyorigional.blogspot.com and yes, i know. i spelt origional wrong. long story.

Ana Nicole said...

We talk about it a lot?