Where Old + Young Have Split

This week I've made it a point to begin carving out time in my morning for a focused time with God. Long overdue - as I know the power this has over my days and relationships. I wear all of my different hats much better when I am purposeful in my prayer and worship. 

As I have been reading some books my mom gave me - The Power of the Praying Wife, The Power of the Praying Parent, and Shepherding a Child's Heart - I've been struck with this thought: the Bible isn't outdated. People are. 

... And graphics, but that's another story for the creative department at their respective publishers.

There are some things in these books that make me think, "HOW OLD SCHOOL CHRISTIAN IS THIS?!" But when I peel back the dated phrasing, the wisdom is there. Their messages and the way they’ve interpreted them may be "outdated" but the word of the Lord stands forever (I Peter 1:25) and is a really helpful guide for how to live life. We just don't use it.

I really believe there is a disparity in Christian culture amongst older and younger people. I've noticed a pattern recently of division on political issues - I feel it in my own family. Older people/Christians seem so heavily focused on a conservative Christian political climate that focuses on conservative supreme court justices and abortion, while younger people/Christians are trying to work out social injustices and human rights issues. I believe there are things in the Bible about injustice and human rights that Christian conservatives have historically left forgotten for the “grander scheme of politics” - letting topics like abortion take precedence over other topics like the poor and immigration. 

I see importance in all these things people are fighting for and focused on, I get it. But when we lose sight of Jesus in all of it - stuff gets murky and divisive. Why did the Bible end up getting lost in all of this? Why have we stopped using it for what it says? I see so many kids in my life running around undisciplined. I hear excuses for horrible social issues like babies being separated from their parents seeking a safe place in America saying, "it's the parent's fault!" 

Where is the grace, compassion, kindness? The stewardship or guidance? I feel like I've been in the boat of young people assuming there's not much to hear from older Christian conservatives - assuming it's all dated and not applicable and that's wrong. But I also feel like I've been in the boat of not being heard because I'm not an older Christian conservative, which is also wrong.

I pray that whatever it takes for me to remain in a place of love & grace - that I have it. As my brother said, "it's a lot harder to have strong beliefs against people if they're you're friends." (ISSA WORD) So lemme continue to build relationships where they already are or have been sparked... with my friends that happen to be immigrants, gay, many other colors, AND SO MUCH MORE AND SOMETIMES ALL THESE THINGS AT ONCE.