By Jimmy McCarty
Part II continued from Part I.
My generation is fiercely loyal. Wild horses cannot drag us from the quests to which we have bound ourselves. Anything we have decided is worth our time and attention is worth an undying commitment to any bitter end.
The problem for my generation arises in discovering exactly what those things are, the things worth our lives, our attentions, our commitments. We often appear lazy, indifferent or aimless because we are passionate without a cause. Because we are unwilling to settle for anything less than that which taps our very souls, we would rather commit to nothing than risk having our deepest passion fail us.
For those who have taken the risk and planted their flag for a cause, the highs, lows, challenges and victories are all one in the same – because while the passion continues, the inner satisfaction is realized. On a deeply superficial level, our happiness (our TRUE happiness) is of the utmost importance. What differentiates us from our parents generation is the freedom we feel to leave a passion, a cause for something that might fit us better. We feel no obligation to continue along a path for something which has begun to fail our passion. For that which is untrue or has betrayed our commitment is no longer worthy of our endorsement and support.
My generation is deeply attracted to voices which have seemingly arrived or realized this truth. They speak on our behalf and advocate for the raw, honest code by which we live. Christianity fights an uphill battle with my generation because it speaks of intolerance. Any principle that would speak against or forbid me access to something which might actually fulfill who I am is to be distrusted. However, for those of us who discover the life-giving truth offered by Christ and the Gospel we find ultimately the realization of our passion. The hope offered by salvation, the adventure of a “life abundant,” and a cause worth dying for taps into the very core of my generation and delivers at last, that for which we have labored to find.
We are desperately in search of a channel for our passion. Those fortunate enough to find an outlet for their passion (dare I say “calling,” in a spiritual sense) are envied. Those consistently failing to realize their passion die a little each day inside. The truth is: my generation wants to be a part of something world changing. They want something to believe in, we want something worth devoting our lives to.
In all honesty, we need help articulating our passion. We need options, we need go-getters to show us the options that exist. We want to feel it, taste it, try it, let it hurt, let it pleasure and let it give life. Don’t shelter us from the realities of the world. Show us that which changes us and you will have given us that which will change the world.
Continued in My Generation, Part III
Jimmy McCarty received a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida and a Master’s in Theological Studies from Bethel Theological Seminary. He is a native Floridian and is currently traveling the globe participating in overseas missions. He is an avid student of leadership and missions and hopes to incorporate both into his future. You can follow his journey here.