A Church that is soft and apathetic will never succeed in reaching a lost and hurting world. People, young people in particular, are reluctant to give their lives for something that is shallow and hypocritical. Even unbelievers and the unchurched are tired of the hype and pretense.

Our young people are looking for reality and for something to believe in. They won’t be moved with anything less. They are the hope of the future, a prophetic generation just ready to come forth into their destinies.

We can see on the daily news just how volatile the world is around us. In contrast with this prevalent crisis, the Bible tells us clearly what it will take to again capture the imagination of young people today.

The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
“Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of your youth.” (Ps. 110:2-3, NKJV)

The psalmist proclaims that people shall freely volunteer for action “in the day of Your power.” When the Church again displays God’s character and His power, it won’t be hard at all to convince people about the claims of the gospel.

Joan of Arc:

In the first part of the fourteenth century, a young French teenager named Joan of Arc, although an inexperienced warrior, inspired the entire French Army — something no king had been able to do.

Joan went to the General of the army and confidently told him, “I’m going to lead the men over the wall!”

The General replied, “Not one man is going to follow you over the wall.”

“I wouldn’t know, I don’t plan on looking back to check,” was her reply.

Every man followed her. Her courageous heroism and example delivered her country.

Those who say they are Believers need this kind of heroic example. When we sing lyrics like, “I have decided to follow Jesus…the Cross before me, the world behind me…no turning back, no turning back,” may they mean more than words.
Later, at the age of 19 and about to burned at the stake, Joan was given one last chance to deny her convictions. Her reply challenges each of us to follow our convictions:

“Every man gives his life for what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing, and yet they give their lives for that little or nothing. One life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it, and then it’s gone. But to surrender what you are and to live without beliefs is more terrible than dying–even more terrible than dying young.”

The days of cosmetic Christianity are coming to an end. Laodecian Christians must decide whether they will be hot or cold, devoted or lukewarm. We need a renewed passion for God that give us a compassion for others. Genuine passion for God allows no room for compromise or mediocrity.

How can we settle into complacency while multitudes upon multitudes of lives are in the balance of eternity? How can we be so hardened of heart as to sit back on the beach of comfort and apathy while so many are still shipwrecked in the sea of destruction?

Like Joan of Arc, who as a teenager stood with courageous conviction, we must live with unshakable faith. Revival will be birthed not by convenience but by commitment—by men and women willing to lay down their lives for the Gospel.

A Word of Encouragement:

When Hannah poured out her heart in desperation, Eli said to her, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition” (1 Samuel 1:17).

That same encouragement is for us today. God will give us the strength to deliver if we rely on Him.

It is time to rise as strength-givers for this generation—to heal, affirm, and release men and women into their callings. It is time to see sons and daughters step into their destinies.

We stand on the threshold of a great awakening. The birth pangs have begun. Let us not faint at the moment of delivery. Let us press in with prayer, faith, love, and holiness so this generation may be delivered into the purposes of God.

(Extrapolated from a 2002 article by Doug Stringer)