I have become increasingly disgusted with the way the world seems bent to slam this generation for the bad hand they have been dealt, and am convinced that this just might be the generation to become part of a new movement set in motion by God to reveal something we have never known about Him...
Recently, I have come to know and work with a group of Millennials, and am delighted to share some of the observations I have made about them with you.
We will flip a few common beliefs about Millennials on their head, shake them around a bit, until your comfort level has shifted just enough for God to speak...
I'm not sure Millennials would want to be tagged as such. Do you like being a gen X'er or a Baby boomer? Assumptions being made about you because of your generation, blanket statements, and blocked ways of expanding your mind. Feels restricting right?
1. Millennials don't like to be limited to being millennials. Being boxed smudges out options, choices... and "A choice is more powerful when you have options".
Truth be known I am a closet millennial... I relate to them, and secretly love the nonchalant, care-free way about a millennial. The world is your playground, the optimism and unlimited potential in this thought is such a gift. It rests so beautifully with who their heavenly Father is, and what their Heavenly Father wants with them.
2. Non-tangible, unreachable, unseen things are a staple in a Millennials diet.
Millennials are good with plans being up in the air and allowing what happens, to happen.
Nailing down places, time and exact plans inside of a space can be seen as controlling. The misconception is that they are not committed. They ARE committed, they just are not committed to a "what", or even a "why"... they're commitment is held in the "Who". "What" feels too much like an institution, "Why" feels too gen X, "Who" sets their eyes on a relationship weather it be with themselves, another person, or God. God is not a cause or an institution and the "Why" lays face to the ground in the "Who" of Jesus Christ.
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
3. Millennials want to be part of a movement and know that in partaking of this overwhelming wave, their part will carry everyone one step closer to shore.
To know there are millions of people all working toward the same end and that that end will (optimism / faith) enhance the journey for others... that they have been part of something larger than themselves, breaths true significance into this generation. This opportunity may have been given to past generations, but millennials have the optimism / faith to know something good will happen. More than any other generation before them, young adults can fix their eyes on what is unseen and know what they ask will be given.
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
4. Millennials are Entitled, and its not always a bad thing! (this point will make some of us uncomfortable)
They are "entitled" to the kingdom because it has been promised to them. It has been promised to us all, but once again this generation has been set up to know it will be given. Entitlement can be bad until it is true. Truth is, they do have a right to something. The word of God is all about unmerited entitlement to Gods favour. God gives His chosen people undeserved favour, because of Jesus Christ. The verse below should make all believers feel entitled! We have a right to the throne room of the creator, to look him straight in the face as Jesus whispers words of endearment over us to the Father.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10
5. Millennials would rather allow the Spirit of truth to speak than speak truth themselves.
Is is a misconception that not speaking direct truth into someones life is tolerating behaviour. This is not what is going on. There is a deep respect for another persons life experience and because the "Who" is more important then the "Why", truth is exposed verbally with an invitation rather than a push. Millennials know that is it not their job to point a finger, convict or condemn, but rather to create safe space where the Holy Spirit searches and knows the heart of man. It is more difficult to sit with someone in their pain then to point a finger. This generation knows it is impossible to search the heart of man as God does. They tolerate / rather wait, knowing God will do His part as they do theirs.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”" Proverbs 15:11
My prayer in exploring this generation with you is that you will no longer look at Millennials with the eyes of the world. That revelation is given, and expectancy is reborn in the generations that have come before them. There is hope, and there is a movement gripping the hearts of the millennial. Look at him or her through the eyes of redemption, through the eyes that have set up this generation to be the next one that experiences a new place in history where God moves so powerfully that it will be spoken about 1000 years from now. AMEN!
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