We don’t have to look far to see how much our families and communities are suffering at the hands of many boys in men’s bodies. But it’s not enough to merely shake our heads or condemn this immaturity. They are lost souls and it’s our responsibility to call out and raise up the next generation of men.
It’s all too easy to look down on the younger generation for their many shortcomings. Or perhaps just dismiss them altogether. Maybe we feel like we had to figure things out on our own and they should too. But, either way, this often just perpetuates the problem.
The senseless violence, apathy, and despair we see are all symptoms of a lost generation crying out for help. And it’s part of our job to serve them.
To be sure, this is not to coddle or indulge, but rather to show them how to wield the strength God has given them. Calling them out is calling them to greater responsibility and showing them how their life serves a larger purpose.
Warriors need a king and it’s our duty to guide young men in the way they should go.
Of course, this means our lives also need to be submitted to and in service of the Crown – the higher good God has called us to. We cannot lead others where we’re not willing to go ourselves.
But this also requires humility to enter the world of young men and see things from their point of view. This allows us to know and connect with their hearts before simply expecting them to follow us.
To be sure, they have their part to play, and this is not something we can just do to them. They must answer the call and take the risk to move into the unknown. At the same time, we allow much heartache and grief to continue when we don’t actively care and offer ourselves to them.
It’s clear the world is hurting and in desperate need of more good men. And the duty is ours to call out and serve the next generation.
Photo by Nqobile Vundla on Unsplash
