The essence of childhood is innocence. The essence of youth is awareness. The essence of adulthood is responsibility.
Andy Crouch in Culture Making
We live in a culture that celebrates youth. It seems to be the best time of life. Filled with fun, laughter, and a certain ease. We are so enamored with youth that most people spend their lives trying to get back to it. But what if the time of youth, while being good, is not the best? What is being a person of responsibility is the best? The kind of person who Andy Crouch speaks of in his book. The kind of person who takes on the task, along with others in the community of faith (and in community) to shape culture so that it reflects the heart of God. If being responsible leads to doing great things for God, even shaping culture for God (think Abraham Kuypers, "There is not one square inch of this world that Christ as King does not delcare, "that belongs to me") isn't it worth growing up? Maybe it's even worth celebrating being an adult.
For more on Andy Crouch's book see two excellent reviews. One by Gideon Strauss and the other by John Seel.
2 comments:
I think it can definitely be good to be an adult. Remember when you were a kid thinking "when I'm grown up I'm going to (fill in the blank)" whether it was stay up all night (who wants to) or eat whatever you want (and get sick!). I think there is definite cause for celebration being an adult because we are so much more able to do things for the kingdom of God. I think the reason we wish for our youth just stems from the dissatisfaction that people who are far from God feel. I also believe, though, that if we had the chance to go back we'd be just as dissatisfied if not more so than we are now.
The sad part is many people want this community in their heart, but have no idea how to start. So many people are going unreached in the city and the burbs of West Michigan because of a closing of the mind and eyes to what a true community looks like. As a kid, I never learned what a true community is, and I rarely still see it lived out as an adult.
We need to each ask ourselves what we can do today to start building the community that Jesus talks about and the ACTS church lived out...just my 2 dollars worth.
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