In a world where identity is associated with the latest gadgets, peer pressure, temptations and the struggle between good and evil, there is a generation of youth rising above the fray to declare the values of extraordinary purity, morals, and preaching the message of making a change now. The Youth of today face prejudices and stereotypes that try to determine who they are. The pressures of just being a youth can no longer be ignored, as they deal with real issues that would confound the average adult. In my days as a youth, there was a reverence for family and God and there was no question of making sure that doing right was the only answer despite the consequences. There was a marked line between the world and the church and people understood what it meant that youth were on fire and living for God. In remaining faithful and true to that conviction even as an adult, the Lord has been faithful and is still keeping me in line with His word and His expectations from me as His child, He has called me righteous and I am seated in heavenly places with Him.

Now, the challenge is for our youth to believe in God, rather than themselves, in the face of getting their way without caring who is hurt or disregarded in the process. The world’s status quo says it is okay to deal with a teenage pregnancy as long as you destroy the life within you. The world contends that one drink with friends is not going to make you a sinner and that going out to a nightclub or party laced with profanity and hard-core music is getting with the times. However, it is a deadly recipe of the devil himself to distort and change who they are in the most subtle and dangerous way. Through their peers, the media, and other related forces, our youth are tempted to live the ‘fast life’ now rather than waiting for ‘the God ordained life’.  However, there is a change happening. There is a shift in morals and reverence of knowing God in our youth.  There is a sense of awareness and a rising to the call for ‘changing our generation for Christ no matter what’.     1Timothy 2:12 (KJV) clearly exhorts, ‘let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity...”.

I look at my son and I see him being a youth on fire for God. I see him blessed. I see him turning his back on temptations with the help of God, prayers and his parents who are destined to lead him in the path that he should go, so when he is old, he will not depart from it. I know my son will struggle, I know he will be tempted, I know it will not be easy for him and the next generation to keep the fight to keep God in schools, in homes and in his life.  It is the duty of the parents, the pastors, the aunt, the uncle, the intercessor, the grandparents, the sister, the brother, to cover our youth now in prayer for their future. We can be the one to make sure to teach them truth, and not lie, deceive, or disrespect anyone to get what they want in life. Even with this challenge, the youth want to know if you are ready to come out of the box and realize that we live in a real world with real temptations. They are asking for help. They ask to be heard, without prejudice. They want to be assured that no matter what happens in their lives, we will always be there for them and pray for them when they do not know what to do. 

Our youth are sending a clear message to us that they are getting ready to defend the truth, and live for righteousness; to fight for the right and be available for God’s use no matter what. Our youth are no longer waiting for us to show them how to serve God with their whole heart, mind, body and soul. In fact they are teaching us to be radical for Christ in every area of our walk with the Lord. They are challenging us to be passionate for the God that we have tested and proven with many trials and tribulations. Our youth are simply saying they are ready and will go in Jesus name and never back down from living for God with the clear definition that they are different; they are making the change for their generation now.      Be ready Zion, our youth are rising and declaring their boldness and affirmation of not backing down or denying the power that is within them given by God, to have their identity with Christ and be nothing less than HIS likeness. There is a passion stirring among the ashes and the spark of making a change for the “now” generation is being ignited. Where will you be when it happens?

Opal Berry-Veira