Sharpened Together - 4 November

Lately, I have found myself both encouraged and challenged by the faith of the next generation, particularly through my nephew, Gerran.

Some of you may know Gerran. He is a young man who seems to be genuinely on fire for God. He has been boldly sharing his faith online, with his peers and the wider world. Watching his confidence grow and his willingness to stand for Christ has been both inspiring and challenging.

As his uncle, I feel a sense of responsibility to lead by example. Yet here I am, being challenged by his boldness and asking myself whether I am doing enough in my own walk with God.

We live in a world where standing out is difficult, especially for young people. The pressure to fit in, the fear of rejection and the desire to be accepted can often silence our faith. Yet Gerran seems unashamed of who he believes in, regardless of what his peers might think.

Romans 1:16 reminds us not to be ashamed of the gospel, while 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline.

What I am learning is that sometimes God uses the very people we are called to lead to challenge and encourage us.

As fathers, uncles, brothers and men of faith, we have a responsibility to guide and encourage the next generation. But we must also be humble enough to learn from them.

Psalm 145:4 reminds us that one generation will declare God’s mighty works to another.

My prayer is that we continue to raise young men who are bold in their faith, unashamed of Christ and willing to stand firm, even when the world tells them otherwise.

And may we, as men, never become so comfortable in our own faith that we stop growing.

Questions for Reflection

• Am I boldly living out my faith, or have I allowed the fear of rejection and the opinions of others to silence me?
• As a father, uncle, brother or mentor, am I setting an example that encourages the next generation to follow Christ?
• Have I become too comfortable in my walk with God, and what can I learn from the faith and boldness of those younger than me?

The next generation is not just the future of the church.
They are part of what God is doing today.