Sometimes, I'm not too fond of bridges. I understand their purpose and necessity. I know that I have to cross one to get to the other side. But some bridges can be too long. Others don't look too steady or secure. Some bridges look strong and unbreakable. Yet, underneath them lie corrosion and faulty design that will one day lead to a collapse.
We are supposed to be a bridge; a pathway over obstacles so that others can make it to the other side. A bridge for the younger generation to cross. But somewhere along the way, the bridge has failed. And there remains a generation who does not know the Lord. Even worse, a generation that doesn't want to know the Lord.
How would you describe this generation?
As disobedient, proud, unloving and unforgiving? Or as violent, hateful, sexually promiscuous, and wicked? Maybe as envious, selfish, and deceived? Seem a bit harsh? Well, that's how Romans 1:29-32 describes what happens when people refuse to acknowledge God. This is what we become when God turns us over to ourselves.
But before we shake our heads in self-righteous indignation, I think we need to ask ourselves a question.
How would this generation describe us?
As backbiters, haters, proud, or untrustworthy? Or as immoral, greedy, egocentric, and out-of-touch?
Does that also seem harsh? Well, those same attributes can be found in Romans 1 as well. Somewhere along the way our bridge became faulty. Rather than deal with those faults, we just covered them with more work and service and less prayer and transparency. Judges 2:10 warns of what happens when bridges are faulty.
"When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done..."
Behind us, there's a generation who does not know the Lord. They're not just behind us. They're right next to you. Kids in your neighborhood and your extended family. And some of them are even closer. They're in your homes. At your dinner table. In the other room watching television
.
Wherever they are, too many of them are detached, removed, and disinterested. And some of the faults in the bridge belong to us. We cannot expect the youth to fix what they didn't break. To repair what they never quite got a chance to experience or to willingly connect with us. That duty falls on us. And until we do that, we'll just continue to shake our heads in self-righteous condemnation as a generation drifts further from the Lord. Today, let us all do our part. Be an example to the younger generation in word, deed, and conduct.
After all, we may be the only bridge they have.
Aqilyn Toi Jones
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