Posted by Believe it or not, I am, in fact, a millennial. While I am squarely in that particular age bracket, I feel like an elderly person trapped in a 20-something’s body the majority of the time. The other day I jumped in a conversation about how “today’s music” doesn’t hold a candle to the music of a previous generation without skipping a beat, much to the surprise of the others in the conversation.
Just like every preceding generation, mine has been harped on by older generations and for good reason. I get the concerns. But there’s also some really incredible things about my generation, though a lot of the time I overlook them.
About a month ago, I went to a young adult service in Dallas called The Porch. Every Tuesday night, thousands of young people gather together to worship Jesus—that’s pretty cool! The sanctuary that seats over 3,000 is always packed and lives are changed there every week.
During the last song in the worship set, as I looked out across the crowd, this verse came to mind: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
I was so impressed with this group of people who are passionately following the Lord and was overcome by what I believe the Lord is doing through my generation. During worship, my disillusionment blinders were removed and I was able to see God’s hand on this generation a little more clearly. In that moment of awe and intercession, I was incredibly thankful that I am a millennial.
To my friends of a different generation, I encourage you to see the younger generation in this light. If you’ve harped on “young people these days”, I get it, I’ve done it too. Please consider this your official invitation to change your tune. While we might love technology and craft coffee too much, there are many of us who passionately love Jesus. We might be getting married later in life and going about things a little differently, but that might not be a bad thing. In fact, it might be as a result of the Holy Spirit’s leading.
If you’re of an older generation, I encourage you to build a relationship with a millennial at your church. Invite them out for coffee or over for a home-cooked dinner and just strike up a conversation. Share your stories and hear theirs, you might be surprised by the commonalities between the two!
If you’re a millennial, know that you are chosen. You are set apart by God and he has called you to amazing things! Your identity isn’t in your followers, your job title, your relationship status, or what your parents say about you. Your worth isn’t found in the grades you’re getting, the job you have, or where you live but is found in him! We are incredibly fortunate to have been born in this particular generation, though there are some very special problems that come along with it. But you were born for such a time as this.
No matter your age, let’s begin to see ourselves and others how God sees us. More than that, let’s act in a manner worthy of the calling that he’s called us to (Ephesians 4:1).
What do you think about millennials?
How can you build a relationship with someone of a different generation this week?
To go Deeper: Read Share Your Story, Learning to People
Work in Progress 
Every generation has flaws. I see millennials as just another generation with their own mix of good and bad. I am just a squeak outside the millennial bracket, so many of my friends are millennials. I have found many wise and careful millennials who are striving to put Family first and God first. I try not to harp on any generation too much because truly, people had the same character flaws in 2018 B.C. as they do in 2018 A.D. It’s all part of the human condition!
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