Good morning! Last night we went to see Josh play his saxophone at Jazz Night for his school district. It was soooo long, but it was so good and so much fun watching the kids enjoy a night where they could display all of their hard work and put on an amazing show!
One really cool thing about the night was that they had the district-wide jazz band (5th and 6th grades), then the middle school jazz bands (6th through 8th grades), the high school jazz band (9th through 12th grades), and a finale which incorporated all bands playing together (5th through 12th grades).
It was great for the younger kids to be encouraged and inspired to see the growth that can take place in how well they will be able to play their instrument if they continue to practice! And what an encouragement it must have been for the older kids to be reminded of where they started and how much they have grown through consistency and hard work.
It made me think about the responsibility we have to each other. The younger generation should be able to look at the older generation and be inspired to live honest, loving, and selfless lives that yield to the principles in God’s Word. A life surrendered to the ways of God will bear fruit and leave a legacy.
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Hebrews 13:7
And alternatively, the older generation should come along side the younger generation – remembering the challenges of their own youth – with compassion and love to guide them in living their lives for Jesus!
When I think about the relationship I have with my son, we have learned so much from each other! I am taken back sometimes with how much he absorbs things regarding the Word of God. He has been reading through the book of Revelations which is a very difficult book to read as an adult. But he wanted to read through and when we discuss what he reads, it helps me to see things in a different perspective.
My son expects his Dad to have all the answers to the things he doesn’t understand as he reads. But as I listen to him try to rationalize things and make sense of the metaphors and allegory, I realize how smart he is in the way he is able to understand.
I am far from perfect, but I have always tried to set an example that he could follow – an example of a life abandoned to self and completely surrendered to God. A life that doesn’t worry about what people think about me, but is careful about what they think about who I represent.
It is so important for us to build up the next generation and not tear them down – they have SO much to offer! My son is going to be one thousand times the man that I am or ever will be, and I couldn’t be any prouder. I constantly encourage him to set the example for the people around him. Don’t follow the crowd, but be the leader.
In the Bible, Paul was a spiritual father/mentor to Timothy. He taught Timothy everything he needed to know about following Jesus and practical ministry leadership. But one verse stands out when Paul encourages Timothy to not let his young age stop him from living for Jesus.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
The younger generation cannot be dismissed because of their age. If we take the time to listen to them and pour our experiences into them, we can learn and grow from each other.
Similarly, the older generation cannot be dismissed because of their age. The wealth of knowledge and experience of how to navigate life (and sometimes how NOT to navigate life) is invaluable.
Just like the picture displayed by the different bands at Jazz Night, the younger generation should be encouraged by the fruit of the older generation, and the older generation should encourage the younger generation to stay consistent in God’s Word and set an example of living according to Godly principles!
Heavenly Father, thank You for the relationships that you have placed in our lives. I am thankful for the older men that have poured into my life and have set an example of what I would like my life to look like at that age. I’m also thankful for the younger people that You have given me the privilege of pouring my life into and to encourage them to live for You by setting an example worth following.Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who has provided the ultimate example and has poured Himself out completely for ALL PEOPLE! Help us to recognize those relationships and to take every opportunity to grow and inspire growth! In Jesus Name – AMEN!
Be Transformed 