POLOKWANE – But I think these celebrations should also try to focus on the achievements of the young people of today. How do we mentor and journey with them so they can end up feeling good, appreciated and loved?
Are we doing enough to help them be resilient and optimistic when facing challenges? How much do we celebrate their successes?
I’m not sure but what I know is that many of our young people today are so despondent because they feel rejected and incessantly criticised, especially from their closest companions, families and churches.
A prodigal son in Luke 15:25-32 felt this way. When he came back home dirty, hungry and shabby, his brother was the first to reject him and the welcoming party the father had staged as a sign of reacceptance for him. Worst of all is that this rejection wasn’t coming from his father’s servants or anybody else, but from his own blood – his brother. While this young man lived in sin, repented, and threw himself into the loving arms of his father, his elder brother profoundly refused to join the banquet and clung to his own self-righteousness and selfishness. Jealousy and arrogance flooded his heart.
To all the young people, as you begin to celebrate your freedom in Christ, and mark your entrance back into the community of believers; as you have worked hard and are now beginning to enjoy the fruits of your labour; please don’t be dismayed if some of those you love and trust, don’t celebrate and rejoice with you. There are no guarantees that everybody around you will be glad with you.
Since you are now a new being, celebrate, even if no one else joins you. Your late return to the Father is not important. What matters is that after your hassles and painful experiences in life, you have now returned to Him.
That is worth celebrating. Rejection doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough, but that other people failed to notice what you can offer. Not everyone will be happy when you begin to better yourself.
God’s ring of sonship and priestly robes are reserved for you. Start preparing yourself for a big banquet.
