Many have made a difference, but only for a moment.

Many have made a difference, but lost their own souls.

Many have made a difference, but drowned in the sea of need.

Many have made a difference, but only for themselves.

For the last twenty-nine years, I have been mentoring and mentored by the next generation. Several years ago, I was asked to address a group of university students and when I began to prepare, I felt paralyzed. I literally ached as the message was rewritten that night. The message—though written for those in the room—felt somewhat timeless. Soon after, in 2009, I offered seven of the original nine woes in a blog for Conversant Life and have now updated them for you today. These woes still feel weighty. Unanswered, these questions have the potential to gut our collective contribution toward making a difference in a world of need.

Seven Woes, part 1

Woe to us when we sacrifice unity on the altar of uniqueness.

Will we bend toward other generations?

I am somewhat between: A mom to the learning generation and a daughter to the leading generation. It is a good place to be. But from here, in between, I fear that the bridge is still out. I have sat on committees and heard elders say, “This generation, where is their commitment?” I respond, “Actually, they may just be the most committed generation the planet has ever seen—but their commitment does not manifest itself in allegiance to forms and fixtures and functions.” I have sat in think tanks and coffee shops and heard twenty-somethings say, “That generation, they just don’t get it. Why can’t they make room for the artist? Why can’t they embrace our uniqueness? Why can’t they focus on the stuff Jesus focused on?” I respond, “Actually, the stuff they do ‘get’ has eternal strength. The opportunities open to us today are the fruit of their prayers and tears.”

We’re talking.

At times we’re listening.

But it takes more than discussion to bend.

Bending is a posture of humility.

The bridge upon which the good news passes from one generation to another is formed as each generation bends toward the other. So a question arises: What if a generation has bent as far as it can? I am serious. What if a generation is bending as far as their inner framework can allow? Will other generations meet them the rest of the way? “But it’s over half way,” some might protest. Highly possible. The question remains: Will we bend? Or will we sacrifice souls on the altar of stubbornness and uniqueness?