What could it be?

Why don’t young guys desire God? Or why don’t young guys desire a God-centered life?

I sit here and am thinking about these questions. They’re thought provoking, at least for myself. And now that I have finally sat down to think about them, I don’t believe that I can put my finger on the answer.

What could it be?

I look around at the fellow church going friends (guys) and am comforted that they attend regularly. But that comfort leaves when I know that all they do there is chat with friends and horse around. Where’s the reverence to God? The Almighty, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe? Where? It’s no where to be found.

What could it possibly be?

Could it be that a life centered around God and the cross is just too uncool? That’s the first thing to come to mind. Going to church every Sunday with your family, worshipping an unseen ‘force’, or serving others  just blemishes their reputation somehow.  I mean, ‘‘that’s lame when you weep about your sins’’, they say. I guess their right, we have to be macho and assertive guys.  We have to be manly, right? No, wrong. This is what’s called taking the world’s philosophy and making it your own. Whoever says that is using the world’s definition of cool. Cold, un-moving, un-relational, un-emotional, dominating, etc. Those are just some of the qualities the world praises of guys. Who are you going to let define cool? Ecclesiastes says a life without God is hebel: vain, worthless, pointless. On the other hand, a life with God, and God being centered in your life, is cool, worth it, and satisfying. I suppose it’s a matter of whose side your going to take.

Or could it be that a life centered around God and the cross is just boring for guys? Is it that there is seemingly no happiness or joy in God? “Its too serious.” They say. Well, I beg to differ. A life centered around God, and of course, the cross is the most happiest and fulfilling life. God created us and our ultimate calling is to glorify Him. That’s what completes us. That’s what gives us unending joy. You can go hang out with friends and party all you want but your shallow joy ends after that. Where is it then? God is the true source of happiness and joy, the joy He gives lasts long after any 'party'.

Again, could it be that other things just seem more important than God? That happens often, even for those who are seasoned Christians. Our focus shifts and we tend to give more importance to even noble things, but not God. For example, when someone spends hours upon hours, days upon days, and even weeks trying to advance in their video game yet they only spend a quick 5 minutes of praying and reading daily, what’s that say? Or when someone spends months trying to improve in a sport, but rarely pray and read, what’s that say? It says that that sport, video game, or whatever else is more important than God. Check yourself, how do you spend your free time? Is it out of proportion? This is what many struggle with, even myself. We must remember this:  “Only one life to live, it’ll soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last” (John Piper).  Everything else has no value, life has no value, everything is pointless unless you live for God. He must be of the upmost importance. 

So why don’t young guys desire a God-centered life? What could it be? I may never know for sure, but oh how I pray that God will raise a generation that seeks His precious face.