I have been observing the previous generation for some time now. I have watched, listened and paid real close attention. The picture I see is one that is good and wise, but often times not relatable and authentic to what culture we find ourselves in today.
Culture is an environment that is formed that cannot be seen with the naked eye, but felt by the heart of the people. It is something that is formed over time and cannot be dramatically changed in just one moment. The culture of a certain environment or of a particular group of people is one that is precious to the environment and to the people. We have witnessed by word of testimony and also by the long-lasting fruit of wisdom from the previous generations which is gold to us today. In no way am I putting away with wisdom, because we all need wisdom to bear wonderful fruit. However, we are certainly not living in the year 1990.
Now if we closely at the young people and children of today, we see that we are looking at a generation who does not want to fit in the box. We enjoy looking different and going against the grind of what normal looks like. We colour our hair, we break the rules, we tattoo our bodies, we wear clothes that looks weird and we enjoy everything that is not normal. Guys have long hair these days and some females prefer it short.
We have been raised by a staunch generation of parents and guardians who have taught us what living looks like. From then till now culture has taken a dramatic shift. The way we do life is so much different to what was taught to us as children.
The real amazing thing about this generation that I can say is, we are bold, we are courageous and we actually have a voice. If no one wants to listen to us, we either change the tide or we start a new one. We are certainly a "table turning" generation. This is why I believe in my heart that it will be because of this generation that God will move throughout the earth. Our ways are maybe not all politically and biblically correct, but if you force your teachings on us - hey! Guess what? You will find us swimming in a different part of the ocean.
There is a real gap between the previous generation and this one because of changes that has swept in beneath our feet. I do believe that in order to be effective in this time we need to bridge the gap between this generation and the previous generation. But this process cannot take place if we are all stuck in our own ways. We need to draw from the wisdom and exprience of the older folk, and the older folk need to acommodate our diversity of culture. You would be in a room full of people and each person would differ from the next, and there is a distinct diversity between person A and person B. Chances are that in this age person B is not even standing in their place.
Walking as a follower and a lover of Jesus Christ, I agree that kingdom principles never change. But my question to the church is, when you open your doors and you see a guy filled with tattoos and you see a woman who challenges the comfort of your belief systems, what would you do? Would you immediately lean to fighting the person based on their culture or would you love them into the kingdom? Jesus understood this! As the teachers of the law and the seemingly righteous men brought the woman who was caught in sin to be stoned, Jesus went against the grind of that day and culture, then He showed her love that could not be taught by men. This is GRACE.
Not too long ago, if you would go onto my personal facebook wall you would see that I posed a question to the people on my Facebook whether I should have dreadlocks or not. A lot of people had something to say, which I wanted. After a while I really found this hilarious because some people were just being funny with their way of how they see things and some people spoke to me wisdom in love and understanding. My generation peeps just said go for it. Hahaha typical of us hey? For interest sake, I never decided to do dreads because of the effort and maintenance which I am not really passionate about. But I was really considering the change.
So next time you see me barefeet in a church or you see my friend with all black on and piercings in her face, it would be wise then for you not to comment based on your culture. And alternatively if we are doing something wrong it would be wise of us to then openly receive correction. But we are not going to change cause you want us to change. Whether or not you like that is our opinion.
There is a whole generation dying out without Jesus because the typical church debates whether or not tattoos are acceptable and other matters that kills our vibe. There comes a time where we have to look past the tattoos and piercings and draw the real person to Christ. Let God be God and when we encounter Him, He will change what needs to be changed.
I remember once I preached at an intercessors gathering at a church in my community. The day I had to preach was the first time I had met the pastors of this wonderful church. Thing is, I had a ripped jeans on and my knee caps were showing accomodated with a denim jacket and thick black curls. The pastors received me with open arms and I was honoured for just being myself in my Dad's house. Thank you pastor Sandra and your husband for allowing me to be me while serving at your church.
The fact that I am being real with myself and real with God is maybe something that He has waited for for a long time. He is my Dad and He knows the true me. As I express myself in ways not appealing to the next person, then I will not change because I am going against who I am.
My name is Rowyn Coetzee, I am a 24 year old male. I do not like the norm. I enjoy being barefeet. I enjoy sitting crossed legs on the floor. I refuse to be like anyone else. I am proud to be me and truly me.
"This is my voice and the voice of my generation. Who we are is true. We might be broken and in need of healing. You might have the tools to our healing. It would be beneficial and wisdom for us to sit at your feet. One thing is true, you cannot change us. We have something to give when we are true to ourselves and to God first. We are not here to please man."
-Rowyn Coetzee
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