If you are a GenX'er like me, you know what I'm talking about, but if not look at the culture and see our special contribution. What begins as self-loathing becomes an ever-growing gray cloud encompassing everything around the self in cynicism, despair and disgust. As teenagers we were just finding our footing so this was limited to bad haircuts, black clothing and anti-social behavior. Now, as adults, we're learning to come to terms with the scope of who we might mean by self and have turned this into a socially acceptable art form. What I mean is this -- we have gifted the culture as a whole with a cynical attitude and general ill-will toward our indigenous institutions.
I wonder why it is so easy to speak words of Law for my generation. We all are lamenting not knowing how to present the gospel. Melancthon is on to it. It is cultural (apart from no natural knowledge of the Gospel and it not making any logical sense.) The unfortunate consequence on being anti-institution is evidenced as my generation rebels against church. Not necessarily against faith, God or such. Certainly, there is a broad denial of the means God has given to share his gifts with us. It is quite a shame. Most of the problem is a matter of impression. My generation sees the rubrics, iconography, liturgy, preaching as "ex opera operato", as it is stated in the confessions. This means, by mere performance of the rite. Perhaps we can understand this better as "going through the motions." We believe that the "performers" are motivated by some self-interest or an Arminian, choice-based-earn-your-salvation-purpose-driven motivation.
Our pessimistic nature doubts that Christians are doing these things sincerely, that these acts are born out of faith. We will not do these things out of obligation. We will not do them to honor our ancestors. We will not do them out of respect for our parents. We will not do them to respect tradition. We will not do them for anything or anyone.
Unless it benefits us. We are a greedy generation. The completely angst-ridden philosophy is driven out of a strong self-interest. We are the self-driven generation. Our personal life, personal this and that drives our day-to-day and our beliefs of God and his Church. If it does not benefit ME, then it must be wrong, it must be changed, and it must conform to my opinion.
Now many will say how is this different from past generations? I do not think it is very different EXCEPT the greater society has done little to correct it. We do not have the Peace Corps, we piss on military service, we frown at those who volunteer for any service, we reject gifts given by others, and we reject help of any kind. We will not admit we have a problem; we rely on band-aids for larger problems leading to heavy drug use and other addictions. We suffer at our own hands, willingly all in the name of ME.
I do think pop-psychology has driven this fear of others, of groups, of cooperative activity, and of failure into us. We insist on success, we insist on perfection, we will not seek the help of others; we will not accept the help of others. Perhaps this is all in the name of self-esteem. "You can feel better." Sorry, a folk, generation X is not entirely wrong. We cannot feel better, at least not without God.
You know what I am talking about. False gods. Idols. Money. Popularity. Toys. Tools. Cars. Pride. My favorite: Technology. We can hide behind all this wealth. We let it take the place of God, substituting for the relief that the Gospel brings. I do it and I know my generation does it.
We've got our excuses and our reasons. Problem is they have little to nothing to do with the faith God has given us through His Spirit. We know by the witness of scripture that God sustains faith through service to others. No, he doesn't mean giving money to charity so they will name a building after you. He means truly having mercy, sacrificing without expectation for return. Without the prestige or ego stoking or tax benefit that comes from donation.
I've got a basement full of JUNK. Sure, it is valuable. It is even too valuable to me. CDs, LPs, boxes of books, camping stuff, electronics, PA equipment, kid’s toys, extra clothes, and the like. I want it. Its worth more to me than to others.
Of course, I neglect the point. I am not here to benefit me. I am not here to feel good. I am not here to enjoy myself. I would not be here at all without the gracious hand of God. These things are "my precious" as Gollum would say. I desire them. I wish to acquire them. I seek to hold them in my pocket, never letting go of them while they drive me further from God's purpose for all people.
Have pity on us, poor yet wealthy, full of debt yet full of possessions. We have just got our heart set on the things of the flesh. We need a kick in the pants, constant reminders, or maybe a slap in the face to remind us that our hedonistic behavior drives us to tears. It drives us away from Christ. We cannot complete ourselves. We cannot find happiness in the world.
It just depresses us. We are pessimistic. We sit in the corner playing video games and listen to our metal trying to avoid the pain of the world. It is a shame so many of us did not get the message sooner. I lament those lost and pray that God would use me to bring them back to saving faith. I pray the church will recognize it's "going through the motions" and restore sincerity in all it does. Most importantly it should teach us to live as a body of believers, cooperating, supporting, and encouraging each other with no consideration of self interest. It's a tough message to teach and it's bound to meet resistance. Have courage and proclaim!
