The Transitional Generation
My friend Dr. Jim Burns speaks often of his goal to be a “Transitional Generation” in his family. Both he and his wife experienced areas of significant dysfunction in their families as they grew up, and Jim and Cathy have made it their goal to be the generation that changes direction and does not pass on a number of dysfunctional elements of family life to their kids. I think that is an amazing goal! We all have areas of dysfunction in our current stage of live as well as baggage that we carry from our childhood. I think every parent should follow Jim’s example and seek to be a transitional generation. The things that you would want to transition your family away from are not alcoholism and other things that Jim talks about in his family tree, but we all have elements of our lives that we want to change for our kids.
With 2021 right around the corner, I would encourage you to take some time to pray and evaluate what things you want to change in 2021 that could change the direction of your family for generations to come! Once you identify some areas you would like to change, write them down and map out what steps it will take to make those changes. I hate to break it to you, but most of the changes that will need to be made will most likely not lie with your kids, but with you. Aren’t you thankful that our God is in the business of change?
I’ve often taught about change and the Christian life. The reality is that the Christian life is simple. It’s us following Jesus. But the problem is that the Christian life is also impossible. On our own, you and are I completely incapable of following Jesus. Therefore, the Christian life is only possible when we depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to follow after Jesus. Our role is submission, dependence and obedience as we trust the Holy Spirit to bring about changes in our attitudes and actions. We do have to try, but our trying is always in response to God’s leading in our lives, with a healthy dose of reality that God and God alone is the One who brings about true transformation in our lives.
So, once you have your list of what you want to change, don’t just decide to try harder. Instead, choose to submit those areas of your life to God and trust him for change. Please let us know how you hope to be the transitional generation in your family, and how we can pray for you!
