What is being a Christian like for young, church-raised Americans today?
This question isn't a unique inquiry into today's millennial generation. However, it is a crucial question as its implications have effects for both Christians and non-believers today.
Christian young adults often have the desire to "live for Jesus," but they can get lost in what this means (although they are desiring nothing more than living "sold out"). This pressure to "live the good life" can actually harm the life they're living.What misconceptions do young adults have about God, other people, themselves, and life that are (actually) keeping them from living "the good life for Jesus" even as they seek to do just that?
Welcome to a new series: In Pursuit of the Good Life.
Questions will be asked | Opinions will be given | Millennials will be interviewed
These questions matter because the Bible matters and how it impacts our lives is so (so) important. These questions are just the beginning.
- What makes a successful, Christian sold-out "good life," and do young people feel like they're reaching it?
- What is one essential element to "making the most of life," of having this "good life"?
- What does this "good life" teach (about happiness, sacrifice, meaning, purpose, relationships)?
- Where did this idea of "sold-outness" come from, and is it helping or harming young people's day to day choices?
- What is affecting young Christians' lives if they feel like they're not reaching this?
You see, I cannot speak for everyone in my demographic of Christian raised, Christ-pursuing peers. However, I am a part of this population, and I have seen peers struggling to make decision to follow God's will. I've heard them talk of how they feel like they're just "missing something" in their life. I've witnessed their conversations of guilt, feeling like they never are doing enough for the Lord.
I've experienced versions of all of this in myself. However, I am becoming more and more convinced that it does not end with myself. This pressure-filled mindset is larger than just me.
Young Christians are feeling the pressure of never achieving this sold-out "good-life." But it's harming more than just them.
It's harming those they interact with: co-workers, family, friends, acquaintances. You see, how we think affects what we choose to do; what we do affects tangible actions that influence other people.
We are harming more than ourselves. It's time to take a closer look into this sad, un-biblical situation.
Here's to the pursuit of truth.
© 2016 Deborah Hope Shining
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