Articles

This is Our Time

By Abigail Ackah-Baidoo, Brampton

The young men want to wear earrings and braid their hair, so how do we distinguish between a woman and a man now? The ladies want to wear the skimpiest of clothes in the name of fashion; how do we distinguish between a prostitute and a Christian? Social status to the youth of today, is presenting oneself in as much "bling bling" as possible; be it a car, jewellery, a house or an outfit.

The Christian must be wary of many things in life. Today's society encourages vices such as same-sex marriage, divorce, prohibition of the Lord's prayer in school and hard drugs, all in disregard for the doctrines of God. These vices are promoted in the name of preserving the rights of people. We all agree that rights should be preserved, but what happens when these rights are an affront to God?
The sad thing is the youth channel their energies into non-profitable ventures. Instead of making the best of the opportunities in this nation, many youth have resorted to vices as a way of coping and/or gaining recognition. Education is no longer important to many as long as they have an easy and alternative way of making money.

Then again, broken homes and fights among parents have resulted in separation of children from their parents and even lack of respect for parents. Some young people feel threatened that their futures will mimic that of their parents. They therefore resort to early relationships in a quest to secure their future. The results have been unwanted pregnancies, gang activities, reliance on social welfare, and living with so called "boyfriends" at very tender ages.

The proliferation of rap and rock music and the so-called 'role models' of our time whose pre-occupation is dressing up in the most obscure outfits (branded as fashion) and lavishing themselves with earthly goods vis-à-vis the lack of role models in our homes and community, have made matters worse. The youth adore the "50 cents," "Eminem" and the "Jay-Zs". "Who is that?" will be the question some youth will ask if you mentioned "John Hagee," "Bebe Winans" or "Nicole Mullen".

Of course, some have said "they have been through the wire and are still living"; others have said "Get rich or die trying." These slogans are constantly on the minds of the youth. It prompts them to get rich too or die trying. Society ensures that you exhaust a considerable amount of time in education and work to be able to get rich. Who wants to wait that long when it is easier to make money by robbing another person, hanging out with a rich boyfriend or being a hit man?

Today, many of our youth do not understand the purpose of living. We have forgotten or refused to acknowledge our roles on earth. According to Ecclesiastes 12:13, " ….Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Our mandate is to live a godly life and spread the gospel.

We have a faithful God who is telling us that now is the turning point. We must forget the past and press on towards the goal for which God has called us (Phil. 3:13). We must die to sin and live like Jesus. He walked where we walk; he stood where we stand; he felt what we feel; and he understands.
Why don't we simply do as his word says? There is so much he has for us that we are unable to exploit because we choose to live anyhow. Let us remember our royal descent and make use of it. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…"(1 Pet. 2:9). We must live by the principles of His Kingdom and serve our master with all our strength.

Youth, it is our time! We have what many people desire yet do not find. We have the opportunity to get quality education and become important people in the church and society. Our parents are praying and hoping that we will experience a better life than they have. The condition is clear: give and it shall be given unto you. Let us go out to spread the good news and get the best education we can. This is our time; let us therefore arise and shine, keeping in mind that "Rome was not built in a day."

source: Pentecost Herald, July 2004