No Lost Generation

Everyone’s talking about this generation.

The so-called “lost generation.”

Interestingly, that term was popularized by Ernest Hemingway, borrowing it from his mentor, Gertrude Stein. It was originally used to describe the young men and women who came of age during WWI.

 Today it has another significance, a different context.

“Maybe being young is never easy. But being a twentysomething young European has rarely been more stressful. More than a quarter (28%) of Italians between 16 and 24 are unemployed. Others are struggling to get by on unpaid internships or poorly paid jobs with little security. The story of a lost generation is becoming the scandal of a continent.” (The Guardian 1/12)

This is the reality that we see every day. But we also see young Europeans in the Italian capital working hard to make a change.

Hemingway later mused, "I thought of Miss Stein and Sherwood Anderson and egotism and mental laziness versus discipline and I thought 'who is calling who a lost generation?'"

This brings to mind the recent Italian film, “La Grande Bellezza”. Probably the best foreign film of the year, it brilliantly displays the haunting beauty of Rome and the aching disillusionment of many of her ageing inhabitants. In this movie I was struck by the ghosts of Rome’s ancient and resplendent past. From emptiness of soul, these older Romans seem to ask:  “Are we too just becoming ghosts?” The film shows people’s lives frittered away by vanity and indulgence, older but no wiser. There’s so much wastefulness, frivolity, and sensuality. The part of society who lived the culture of so-called Berlusconi-ism. It begs the question:

“Who’s calling who a lost generation’’?

And yet, wisdom tells us that there is no “lost generation” per se. As Christ-followers we, like every age before us, are charged with living for His glory - not our own.

The temptation to either waste our lives or to lose hope and give up can strike at any age. The spirit of the age is what we are all called to resist, whether young or old.

“…that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” (Phil 2:15)

 Through Peter, God declares at Pentecost:  

I will pour out my Spirit on all people,
and your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
and your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams. (Acts 2:17)

The church-plant we’re serving in is often typed as a “student church.” Many 20-somethings have heard the true Gospel for the first time, and others have rejoiced to find a spiritual home and a family, and strength to love and serve. And yet, there is a growing contingent of “Over 40’s” in the fellowship, ranging from baby in the faith to veteran soldier of the faith. Young and old bring family members and friends into the circle, ever-widening to embrace every age.  Brian and I are privileged to lend pastoral guidance to the “Over 40’s”, and we’ve been exploring the importance of bringing our spiritual gifts and natural talents to build up the Body. We all intend to serve as “Big Brothers and Sisters” to the younger members, just as their vitality and enthusiasm inspires us.  

In fact there is no lost generation. We can choose to be a winning generation, young and old.