It happens; your conversation is going along fine and then you use a one-liner or a reference that was common from your past. Instead of joint laughter and acknowledgment, you get a blank stare from the other person followed by raised eyebrows and a wisecrack. Or, that time you were in your garage and cranked up a classic song from the ‘80s that became an instant hit with your kids and their friends who were hearing it for the first time. But perhaps, there was a time you made the discovery that a key historical event or lesson from generations past no longer appeared relevant to some of the newest decision-makers. That presents a problem, for as the legendary statesman Winston Churchill put it, “Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.” Seems a bit harsh; what if we just say, ‘you don’t know what you don’t know.’
As an entire new generation comes of age, we should realize that formal education has changed what is now considered required learning. What follows is not only a change in skill sets but also the idea of the American Dream. That was inevitable. With each generation seeking to leave a stamp identifying that they were here, there will be different ways of doing things and different value placed on those things.
Look, they’ve witnessed an abundance of turmoil in their short lives. Bitter fighting among the political parties, including physical violence against those who are in opposition; surviving a near decade of increased government controls instead of the representative democracy that was elected to serve constituents; the lost concept of American exceptionalism. And what they see in our latest experiment of political correctness, we’ve somehow allowed the idea of equal freedoms and opportunity for all to be replaced by what seems the equality of an outcome as the measure of fairness. Think about that for a moment.
Dr. Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak are Next Gen researchers and assert that “leaders and employers need to understand this demographic for a simple reason; this is the most diverse generation in U.S. history and the world they’re growing up in insists they see things differently.” The researchers also conclude “this generation will be more educated and have less experience than any other in history. That inexperience translates into missing some vital life skills as they seek their first job as adults. For example, only 19% of 15-17 year olds reported working a job in 2018.”
And finally, Elmore and McPeak found that despite belonging to the most socially connected generation in history, they are also the loneliest with a lack of significance in their relationships. They noted that “the loneliness continues to increase each decade despite having a lot of friends. In their fast-paced world and far too often virtual reality, they don’t get the value of going deeper; having a perspective of how and why brings into focus meaning and purpose. A lack of curiosity and understanding seems to trap them in a superficial and impersonal vacuum.”
Perhaps we need more people willing to be mentors. You don’t have to have credentials; just be a good listener, and a desire to perhaps leave your part of the world with a small contribution for the better. When asked, offer perspective from experience and more importantly, a Christian worldview. Being human, we’ve all made mistakes with some of those lessons painful; but imparting wisdom of the past to those who would listen, is priceless. Each generation is searching for a reference point of meaning and purpose; don’t leave them hanging. Throw them a floatation device, something that they can use when they encounter new situations. Our Creator has given us all assignments on this journey; one of which is to speak of Jesus, the greatest gift of love the world will ever know. Be encouraging; be a resource that will help them navigate and grow as a person.
There’s work to do; don’t leave anyone behind.
“Three-minute exposure; a snapshot of life’s imperfect harmony,” by Stew McAuley.
Encouraging your Christian Worldview.
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