As a leader, I hear this all the time, “This generation doesn’t get it! They’re selfish and lazy. They only care about what pop-stars are wearing and the latest trends. They have no interest in hard work and taking certain matters in life seriously. Their perception of quality relationships is how many followers they have on twitter. They have no concept of maturity, and the only thing they know to stay loyal to is their favorite show and podcast subscriptions. We are going to lose this generation.” Now, I’d be lying if I told you I’d never had some of these same thoughts. However, it was during one of these moments, that the Lord reminded me of the revelation He gave to Ezekiel.
In chapter 37, Ezekiel shares a vision of being placed in a valley of dry bones. As he’s taking in the sight of what he is seeing, he is asked a crucial question, “Can these bones live?” His response was, “Lord, only you know.” Immediately after he answers, the Lord responds with a command and says, “Prophesy to these bones and tell them breath is coming to them and they will live! The Lord will attach tendon to tendon, wrap them in flesh, and cause breath to enter them so they may live!” Before this prophetic word could finish leaving his lips, he heard a rattling and saw the impossible before his eyes. What was once a sea of dry bones, is now an army. Then this shout echoed in my heart, “Chris, you see dry bones, but I see an army!”
What happened in Ezekiel 37 is a demonstration of Romans 4:17, when it says, “… God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” We will have to live in a realm of faith, like never before, if we are to see this “valley of dry bones,” called Generation Y, become the army I was challenged to see them as. You and I have been “placed” in this generation for a purpose, and it doesn’t matter what age we are or how relevant we think we are. Because we are here is reason enough to be invested in the following generation. In the same way I was challenged, I submit this to you. Are you calling dry, what He says can live? Are you labeling this young generation hopeless, when He is going to use them to establish hope?
As I travel, I see firsthand the wickedness, compromise, and moral confusion that has blitzed this generation. For sure, it is a mixed army—made up of the Christian school kid who has insecurity issues and has now overcome them, the young ones who have been sexually confused because they were molested their entire life, those who ran to the occult before they found the Church, or those who choke down prescription medication because devils have been telling them to do so. It is quite a gathering, needing much guidance.
However, if we are going to reach them, we’ve got to change the way we see them. Hard as it may be, I don’t see this generation as slothful, corrupt, and lethargic to the things of God. I think they are just bored! The Christianity we have been showing them is boring. For instance, once a young person is brought to the Lord, the only thing most will show them to do is pray and read their Bible, which is essential. But if that’s all we teach them, they will never learn to take spiritual responsibility for those around them, to heal the sick at the mall, or to witness to someone at the least expected and most inconvenient moments of their day. If all we leave them with is pray and read, we are eliminating the risk and adventure that has already been established for this generation.
In his work, Christian Consciousness, John G. Lake blatantly says, “Christianity is ALL supernatural.” We have never seen a breed of people gripping for the supernatural like this one. From the top grossing movies, to the highest rated shows, and books being bought and sold, this army is groomed to release for a release. Get ready! This is the hour! The least likely and the unreachable will be drawn to the Cross, become devoted to Jesus, and sell out their lives to Mark 16:15-18:
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Generation Y is not a lost cause. They have a lot of fire in them, but they just need someone to guide them and give them wisdom in understanding that fire. I remember as a young man what it meant to have a mentor in the faith remind me of who I was created to be. I also remember the confidence it gave me when I saw them open doors of opportunity for me. I can’t describe the safety I felt as young person knowing my father would be there for me if I needed him. These individuals brought clarity and character to my life, and I’m so thankful.
Is this not what the Lord has done for you and me, at one time or another? With leadership like this and the fusing of generations, we will see this “valley of dry bones” become a living army! They will be a generation given to holiness and not hormones. They will live a lifestyle of revival and not rebellion. They will walk with authority, honor, and character that will leave the world breathless and in desperation for the same thing. They will be dangerous for good because they desire to win the greatest reward, “Well done!”
Prophesy, pray, and believe for this generation from heavens perspective. These dry bones, just like in Ezekiel’s day, will hear a true, prophetic command, and then, we’ll see the reaction.
