Prophets

If you came of age in the 1970’s & 80’s like I did then you likely have a fondness for music of that era. One of the bands that exploded onto the scene at that time was U2, a group of four young men from Dublin, Ireland. Throughout their incredibly successful career the band has maintained a connection to their youth with lyrics that are full of direct or indirect spiritual allusions. One of their most popular songs from the 1987 album, The Joshua Tree, was “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” This tune included the words, “You broke the bonds and loosened the chains, carried the cross of my shame…”

Music in the small-town conservative church that I grew up in also changed during this period as piano, organ and hymnal gave way to guitar, drums and contemporary music. This transition was not without a struggle, however, as the new music style seemed to capture the spirit of the age rather than the glory of God. At least that is how the conflict was framed by some.

As a student of history, I’ve been wondering about the link between political/global turmoil and emerging voices of hope, prophets even. Looking back at the world in the 60’s, it’s easy to see that young people were desperately looking for answers as their parents’ and grandparents’ generations had experienced two global military conflicts in a span of 20 years. Could that same pattern be repeated today? Is there a prevailing disillusionment among young people today that prompts them to search for truth outside of their parents and other authority figures? It appears to me that there is.

In 1 Corinthians 1 Paul points out to the early believers in Corinth that, in contrast to worldly wisdom, the message of the cross seems foolish. How could a simple man’s horrific, humiliating death lead to the salvation of all humanity? For many in the Roman world, life was a constant struggle, with pagan religions offering little solace. Those were the exact individuals that Paul focused his ministry on.

Is there a similar hunger for such a simple message of salvation and hope in our world? Just look at one of the new voices in the music world, like Forrest Frank, who openly espouse Christian messages in their songs. In one song entitled, Your Way’s Better, Frank writes, “Oh Lord, I need You now more than ever, would you put my heart back together? I searched the world ‘til my head hurt just to find out Your way’s better.”

As a man now approaching the end of a career and wondering what comes next, I want to be an older Christian who supports young people in their contemporary search for hope. I desire to support the new prophets of the gospel message who can reach those that I can’t.

Oh God, would you reach the young people of the world today who are desperately looking for hope in a world that offers few answers? Help me get out of the way and not be an obstacle to the work of your Spirit in ways that may not touch me.

Throughout This Day: Seek out examples of popular music that may raise questions or address issues in ways that connect with young people today. Even better, ask a younger person in your life what music they’re listening to and why. You may be surprised by what they say.