In keeping with the prophecies

Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well… -1 Timothy 1:18 (NIV)

Each new generation comes with renewed expectations. I don’t know that any of the prayers and predictions spoken over me or my children would rise to the level of “prophecies”. I do know that we, like Timothy, were taught from an early age, brought up to know God and be difference-makers in the Kingdom. I pray we, like Timothy, are making good on that investment.

In chapter 8 of his book, Strange Days: Life in the Spirit in a Time of Upheaval, author Mark Sayers references a cultural theory developed in the 1300’s: “The great medieval Arabic scholar Ibn Khaldun observed a four-generational pattern that corrupted civilizations. A first generation struggles from adversity and deprivation to create stability and wealth. The second generation, enjoying the benefits of the newly created wealth and security, is closely mentored by the previous generation in the traditions and wisdoms that enabled this wealth. The third generation, disconnected from the influence of the first generation, must follow the precepts of success and security as a blind tradition, and thus becomes a less efficient mentor. The fourth generation, taking their wealth and stability as a naturally occurring state of affairs, seeing it as a privilege and entitlement, is now distanced from their civilization’s founding principles and sacrifices. Thus they come to despise, doubt, and eventually reject the traditions that secured their culture’s wealth and security, and are plunged back into deprivation and adversity as they are overrun by hungrier and more disciplined competitors.”

…holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. -1 Timothy 1:19 (NIV)

Regardless of the degree to which you subscribe to the theory and its implications, it cannot be denied that the farther removed we are from an event, the easier it is to take for granted its impact. And the less likely it is to comprehend the price that was paid to secure its blessings. This is true not only for cultures, but in a spiritual context as well. The events that shape our identity must remain real and relevant to us. Our stories serve as landmarks only if they point the way home. Our stories are most valuable as reminders that we are building on the past to be part of God’s bigger story. Otherwise, they’re just old stories. Our stories are not an end in themselves, but an encouragement to those who come after us that God has a chapter for them as well.

I am grateful for the spiritual legacy of my parents and grandparents. However, I cannot ride the coattails of their faith. I can do my best to model Christ-likeness for my children and their children. But ultimately, their faith has to become their own, else it will be found dead and useless.

So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles, but obeying his commands. –Psalm 78:7 (NLT)

Unfulfilled potential and the remorse of “what might have been” is a heavy burden to bear. In the time we have left, pray we do all in our power to fight the battle well. Let’s make our stories count by giving the next generation reason to find their own stories in Him.