Preparation for the next generation has already been set in motion by the generation before me. Talents, abilities, thought patterns, work ethics, beliefs all set in motion before me, and they will affect many after me. So why the need for desperate reform of the next man? Because I need to reform who I am to be able to see the look of reform on the next man. It’s not as simple as telling our sons to be respectful to the women and elderly. It doesn’t just present itself completely in them after a short birds and bees talk with us. No sir, the reform of the ones who will soon take our places comes from relationships built on trust and exemplary transparency by the ones before them. We must be willing to show our shortcomings as well as our successes. Our strengths and our weaknesses must be on center stage for them to view. How else does one properly set goals to aspire for without first seeing what it looks like when there is compromise and failure? Allowing them to see what was overcome gives them the caution to always walk with consideration and the empowerment to know that it can be overcome. For too long we have surrendered the necks of our youth to the hands of our own shame and embarrassment. Shame is a game well played alone and only won by sharing the light of knowledge and education of a relationship with honesty and integrity. We have lied to show them we are strong. We must understand that the truth, even in weakness, will always be what gives us our greatest strength.
Jesus is the example upon which all examples should be based. A blameless life and an honest passion for the kingdom of God and the people of God. No greater transparency was ever shown. To pray and toil over His purpose in the garden as his sweat fell as drops of blood. To always consider his Father before considering himself. Always showing his disciples what had been done and showing them what needed to be done and then after, what to expect. Always honest and with the utmost faith in His disciples even when he knew their failures before hand. That is what it looks like to build relationships with the next generation. Jesus heard their ignorance and arrogance, and never did it move who He was or His purpose. Instead, He showed them compassion, love, and sacrifice. He could have just as easily said, “enough!” He could have snapped his fingers and all of Hell would have been obliterated. Then, he could have kicked back and told the “boys,” that’s how it’s done. Yes, that would’ve made everyone happy. Yet instead, He allowed them to see his emotions as he cleared out the merchants tables that were making a mockery of His Father’s house. When Jesus left earth the disciples knew what compassion looked like because they had seen it modeled. They knew what righteous anger looked like because they had seen it modeled. They knew what sacrifice looked like because they had seen it modeled. They felt loved because he had loved them. They knew how to encourage because he had encouraged them. They had been given the hope of all hopes as Jesus told them, “that these things and greater shall you do”. He came into their lives giving them hope, and he left his physical walk with them giving them hope.
Are we giving the next man hope? Are we showing them what we mean when we tell them we want only the best for them? Do we boldly stand for what we should? Do we quietly accept their apology making it of no mention just as we expect the Father to do with us? Do they walk away from us feeling encouraged? I pray we all find the peace and strength of the Father within ourselves and allow it to show through in all we do. I pray we all learn that to be strong we must show our weaknesses not in shame, but in the faith and hope of allowing others to build better and stronger relationships with Jesus and with their families.
M.U.S.C.L.E. 