“The world is going to hell in a handbasket.” At least that’s what I heard her say in my cramped kitchen. A close friend, of the Boomer generation, recently expressed: “I’m afraid my grandkids will not grow up in the same world I grew up in.” Grandparents (and parents) can no longer relate to their kids and grandkids, and not for a lack of trying. Generation gaps today are wider than they have been since the 1960s. The phenomenon is known as “intrageneral speed.” Dr. Steve Argue explains: “Understanding young people is harder today because of the speed at which society is changing. The dramatic pace of technological, scientific, medical, economic, and sociological shifts is creating more differences within traditional generational cohorts than ever before.”

I resonate with my friend’s fearful interpretation of the world. From the latest research on the harmful impact of social media and smartphones, the mental health crisis of Gen Z, to the daily news cycle feeding fearful and polarizing messages, it can feel as though the world used to be good, but not anymore. Since the Exodus, the people of God have had a similar tendency of looking back. Sara Groves tells of the Israelites longing to go back to slavery in Egypt through her lyrics: “I’ve been painting pictures of Egypt, leaving out what it lacks. The future feels so hard, and I want to go back.” Looking back is one way to interpret and live in the world. Longing for what we know and the way things used to be is a lot easier than trusting an invisible God to guide us to an unknown and uncomfortable future. Yet, Joshua reminded the anxious Israelites: “The land we passed through and explored to get here is exceedingly good – God is leading us – God is with us – Do not be afraid.”

How we view the world impacts how we live in it. I want my kids, our kids, youth and young adults at CCCC to hear a better story, perhaps even the “good news” story of our faith, a story which gives them strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. What story are we believing about the world today? Is the land exceedingly good? Is God leading us? Is God with us, assuring us to not be afraid? Our God, who made all generations in God’s image, has not given up on the world. While I empathize with the fearful words of my friend, I responded with a better story: “I believe the world today is beautiful.”

Grace and Peace,
Katie