Low Expectations...

       that the younger generations face today

Too many teens and pre-teens in our society have low expectations. Our society today says “Shoot low so you don't get disappointed.” Low expectations are declared everywhere. Have you noticed the logo’s for our popular companies these days? For example Nike’s logo is “Just do it!!” It’s small, subtle, and sneaky little hints like these that can totally ruin our lives. Another example is Pepsi’s logo “Listen to your thirst.” It’s all about doing whatever you want, when you want, however you want and nobody expects you to do any different. Why? Why do we put up with, and listen to, these lies, these low expectations?  And why is it that teenagers aren’t supposed to be mature, be able to make decisions on their own, or to be smart?  Most parents don’t even expect their teen to make their own bed in the morning. How hard can it be? The sad thing is that we listen to this garbage!! It seems that the whole world has very low expectations. Not just for teens but the whole American culture has been sliding lower and lower over the past 40 years. There are now lower standards in almost every area of our lives than there  were in the last generation. With all these low standards, how is it possible to grow? Here is what another teen has to say on this subject…….
                   
“The teens of today are growing up to be the next generation of adults. Yes that’s right, the same teens that are out getting drunk are going to be running our country in 10-20 years. Sure you might say not all teens are like this, but even the teens that are set part from the rest are settling for just average. You see, as soon as we find ourselves doing something good, we stop.  We stop because we think that we have already gone above average why should we do anything more?  Well if we want to become the greatest person God made us to be,  then we have to throw all low expectations out the window."- Noah

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The World's expectations vs God’s Expectations

Staying pure until marriage.  The world says that we own our bodies therefore, we can do whatever we want with them. But, the bible tells us that “. . . your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. You are not your own. . .” (1 Cor. 6: 19) It also says “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” ( Eph. 5:3) Of course this is pointed towards the unmarried.

Social behavior and protocol.  In today’s culture mannerisms are definitely not encouraged as much as they should be. Nor is it a practice to put others ahead of yourselves. The Bible says “ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phil. 2:3-4)

Spiritual maturity.  In order for Christian maturity to develop in your life, you must make a choice to learn God's Word, allow God to renew your mind, and then be obedient to what you learn. (Romans 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."


Purity of speech. All you have to do is get online or walk out your door to notice the foul language that almost everybody uses today. Is it pure? No. Is it kind? No. Is it biblical? No. Where did it come from, and what does the bible say about it? Eph. 4: 29 says “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” 


 Personal conviction, or vision. (I couldn’t come up with any bible verses for this one but I’m sure they're in there somewhere.) Many young people especially men at ages 17-21 years of age don’t have a clue what they want to do, where they want to go, and how they want to spend there lives.  A conviction is a fixed or strong belief.  Your convictions define who you are, what you are about, and where you are going in life! And what I mean by vision is that you know what you are going to do in the future or what you want to do in the future, so that at 35 years you're not still living off your parents, sitting on your rear all day because you don’t have anything better to do.

Capability. Most youth are considered incapable just in general--not capable of having good behavior, not capable of staying pure until marriage, not capable in the financial realm…etc; But the bible says “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1 Tim 4: 12) We need to show the world that we are capable and even at a young age.

Respect for peers. This one goes right along with social behavior and protocol.  The way that friends treat friends these days is ludicrous. Overheard was a teenager saying in response to foolish, selfish, rebellious, and dangerous actions towards a friend,  "Well, teenagers are supposed to act like that." . . . . Oh no, I don't think so! I think that we all need to study Eph. 4: 32 a little more often! “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Did it ever occur to you to be kind to your friend’s? Phil. 2:3-4 is also a good one to remember when your with your friends! “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” 

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 This is why we have to rebel!! So where and when do we start? Right here, doing our best in the areas we are in right now! If we all do our part we can change a generation.
“Its like going green, except instead of saving the environment we can save our lives.”  says another teen.

If you haven’t already I would highly recommend reading ‘Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris or visiting their Web page www.therebelution.com . These contain materials that will challenge you to give up your life, make sacrifices, and change a generation.


A little something for us all to think about.
God bless,