I look at the election coming up next week and I am not jumping for joy at our options. This is not meant to bring about a political debate, so I will say that I have already voted. I do believe in the process. What I AM trying to say is that the young men I watched pouring their hearts out today reminded me of God’s promise that “If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
It is easy to look around and see that the world is a mess. God is not surprised. Saddened maybe – but not surprised. His world has been messed up before. And He, unlike all of our past earthly leaders, is still on His throne. These young men recognize that and were willing to take a day out of their young, busy lives to fast, and pray, and worship, believing that He is going to hear and answer.
I don’t know about you, but I can get really jaded. I don’t want to be. And I fight against it. But it comes a little too naturally while living in a fallen world. So I appreciate the young people around me who help me stay focused on the good – the future. And I have a responsibility to them. I need to hold fast to the hope that, together, our prayers will touch the throne of God and that He WILL heal our land. I also need to be willing to answer their questions with truth. I need to intentionally walk alongside them as they forge the way for another generation. I need to love them – even when they are wrong. And I need to champion them when they are right.
This is a month of thanksgiving. I want to encourage you to think of one of the young people in your life who are living loudly for the kingdom of God. Would you be willing to pray for them in this moment and then send them a short message telling them how proud and thankful you are for the way they are trying to impact the world with their lives?