Multigenerational Vision

Multigenerational Vision

Why do we do what we do? Why do you get up in the morning and go to work or cook breakfast or clean your house? As we get older the words of Solomon ring in my ears, “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”              Ecclesiastes 12:8-14

 So, no matter how meaningless or monotonous life may seem at times, I must find my fulfillment in following after God and his word. The more I read His word, the more I realize that God has the big picture, and I can only see part of it. Everything about me is so finite. If it really is “all about me” as many people say, then why would I imagine, dream, build, or work for anything? My husband did a job for an older couple a few years ago. They were very well off financially with a big house, lots of land, cattle, and were “living large”. The woman was in her early 40s and aging very beautifully. The man was quite a bit older and talked with Rob one day about the fact that he regretted that they had decided not to have children because he had no one to leave his fortune to. When I heard the story I was sad, but we are seeing it more and more.

One of the things I love most about our church and community is the multigenerational vision. The fact that everything we imagine, dream, build, and work for, is for future generations. We want them to know God and follow Him with their lives, to fear God and keep His commandments. I can look back to my parents and my grandparents and see a heritage of faith. Not that they were perfect, but that they loved the Lord and taught their children to follow Him. I’m so thankful for that, and want my children and my grandchildren, and my great grandchildren to have the same thing.

Your word, O Lord, is eternal;

it stands firm in the heavens.

Your faithfulness continues through all generations;

you established the earth, and it endures.

Your laws endure to this day,

for all things serve you.      Psalm 119:89-91