Then [David] chose for himself
five smooth stones from the brook,
and put them in a shepherd’s bag …
The Philistine [Goliath] came,
and when the Philistine … saw David,
he disdained him; for he was only a youth
1 Samuel 17:40-42
NKJV
Let me ask you … When were “teenagers” invented?
Wait. I know what you were going to say: “There’ve always been teenagers!”
Chronologically, yes. But what we mean by “teen” is a relatively new phenomenon.
Historically, our societies were agricultural. As soon as children could spur on an ox and drive a plow, they were pulled from school. Many were married and running farms and raising families before the pimples wore off. Responsibility came early to young men and women.
The Industrial Revolution changed all of that. Industry and prosperity – especially in America’s boom years after World War II – brought a push for more education. Suddenly teens were sitting in classrooms – “developing” – rather than working dawn to dusk in the fields.
More education is a good thing. But even good things have unintended consequences. By delaying work, profession, and responsibility, the age of the “teenager” was born. Fewer formal responsibilities meant more time for play and relaxation. The purpose of teen-life is viewed now and by many as “having fun.”
Yes, we all now teens who work hard and embrace responsibility. But don’t we also know too many who view free-time and play as an entitlement. Too many are bored. There’s a hole in their hearts that they can’t explain. They’re lacking meaningful responsibility. And as a result they self-medicate their boredom with video-games and TV … or worse, drugs and alcohol.
A few years ago, two teens – teens at the time, Alex and Brett Harris – tried to inspire their peers to walk boldly beyond the boredom. They wrote the book, Do Hard Things. This call to action was summarized perfectly by its subtitle: “A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations.”
Working with youth as a pastor, it was one of the favorite studies that I ever did. Do Hard Things is an inspiring reminder that we are created for more. That we are created for much. That we are created for purpose and productivity.
So how does this relate to marriage?
Well, let me ask you a question … How did you respond to this analysis of the teen years? Do you think teens are capable of more than what’s being expected of them?
Now take that a step further … Do you think you are capable of more than what is expected of you?!
One of my favorite lines in cinema is when Mufasa, the mighty father in The Lion King, is drawing his son, Simba, back from a life of boredom and play and no responsibility. He says, “You are more than what you’ve become.”
“Remember who you are,” is Mufasa’s call to action.
Our theme for today is …
The Call to Be Covenant Keepers – Part One
As we begin to study what that call is and what it will demand of you, you (and I) need to constantly be reminded you that “you are more than what you’ve become.” We need, indeed, a “rebellion against low expectations.” We need to be Davids (a teen himself) who is not afraid to conquer giants – whether giant people or giant responsibilities.
QUESTION: Are you ready to rebel?! Are you ready to defy low cultural expectations? Are you ready to buck cultural lies about what marriage is supposed to be and what the role of men and women really should be? Are you ready to defiantly craft a victorious marriage in a culture of divorce?
In Christ’s Love,
a rebel … here me yell
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