WHY GENERATIONAL STRAIN

Why is it that with each oncoming generation the faith system perpetually fights-pushes-pulls-tugs and strains its way forward?  I mean it when I say that some parts of a progressing and maturing church are like pulling teeth. 

I address this not from statistics--although I think such would be supportive--but from observation and experience.  Each new generation seems to carry an almost automatic grudge, to a certain extent, against the previous.

Why this edge among us?

From my labors I see two possible explanations.

First, traditions bog.  Jesus addressed this and my generation has traditionally agreed.  However, we have also failed to adhere to his warning.  How quickly we turn our new ideas into "the way it is supposed to be".  We have, as did the Pharisees, built monuments of dos and don'ts that came from nowhere other than our created bias, habit--and in some cases--pet peeves.

Second, God is new.  As old as He is and as ageless as He is, He perpetually calls us to transformation into a new life.  He gives us a New Testament.  His Word declares we are to be newer day by day.  Never does He vie for new whims of man's imaginary sort.  Yet, His core theme is to make us new; newer day by day.

The reason generations fight new wars is because we have blindly carried on old battles.  The newest generation believes they see new ways, styles, and possibilities.  What they don't see is that in twenty years they will have stepped to the other side of greener grass to pick up the defense of their new ways that a younger generation will regard as a Christian repeat of bias, habit---and in some cases---pet peeves.

So what shall we do?

We each have enough room to grow in Him; to mature which will require an openness to diversity combined with an absolute remaining for Thus saith the Lord.  The two are not in conflict.  The rub hits when we begin to dumb down from our original zeal for learning by shifting to protecting what we think we know. 

Jesus will always keep us on our toes in an extremely good way.  He will always be the way, the truth, and the life.  There is no other rock.  Our whims, needs, and wishes aren't rock material.  His tender heart, compassionate approach, and sacrificial demeanor is always the great reducer of generational strain.