I’m sure you’re aware of this, but I’m going to tell you anyway. This world is so selfish. We are a selfish people. We are all about me. I’m sure that if you’re real with yourself, you’ll admit that most times you love yourself more than God. It’s bad, it stinks, and it’s part of being human.
This is the world in which we are bringing up a new generation of leaders. I don’t have to tell you that these leaders will have to be more altruistic than any other generation before it to counter the rising tide of self-centeredness, but how do we do that? What is so counter-cultural and life-changing that it swings this generation against the tide and captures their imaginations strongly enough to hold them against the generation of self?
The gospel. That’s what. The life of Jesus is a study in selflessness. It sounds strange, but it’s selflessness that will trump selfishness.
The truth is that we are bringing up a generation that does truly care about others. With Bono as their guide, they have taken on problems such as Darfur, the environment, poverty, AIDS, and the list goes on. The elements of selflessness are in place, but you need a spark that keeps them there. That’s the gospel.
The rest of these causes are just that: causes. They don’t necessitate selflessness, just a bit of giving and advocacy. The true gospel demands a selflessness to be like Christ; To deny ourselves, and take up our cross. This isn’t easy, and it does take a lifetime (sanctification) to perfect, but there’s no time like the present to start.
How do we do this: practice. Believe it or not, this generation’s attitude won’t be changed overnight. Despite the sudden shift of concern for others, selfishness still has its hold on us. We can’t change this attitude overnight, but we can change behavior. Over time, God uses that change in behavior to change the heart. Bingo. End game. Selflessness
Here’s a few ways we can partner with God in this process
1. Focus on selflessness. Make sure our students know where it comes from (that’s from God, who alone is perfect). Play the broken record and study it extensively during devotional time.
2. Practice altruism often. Serve others at the expense of ourselves.
3. Pray for changed hearts in this generation. Pray for a changed heart for yourself.
We know that the perfect won’t come until the end, but in the meantime, let’s get as close to selflessness as we can. Our fallen world and the lost who live in it depend on it.
Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,
Matt
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