THEME: “Our Future, Our Values: Navigating through the shifting moral culture.”
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
(1 Timothy 4:12)
Story:
As you have heard from my bio, I do life with young people. In one of our engagements at home, the discussion went like this:
Ooh auntie, you just don’t understand! You parents just don’t get it mehnn! You assume that you know yet your mindset has not shifted from your generation to ours! You just keep saying ‘be good, study hard, and abstain! Behave! You are always on that phone’ yet he’s also always on it as well…. Mehnn, life is overwhelming!
From those initial discussions, we have heard every kind of engagements about how to navigate the present currents and win!
In the few minutes that I have, my discussion will be in 3 segments – I will look at your God pre-ordained destiny, the obstacle along life’s journey to destiny and the toolbox with everything needed to overcome and experience the destiny.
So, let us focus on this theme for a minute.
- Close your eyes and look far into the future when you are like 40 then 50 then 60. The epitope of your life. What do you see? What do you desire to happen? What do you want to be remembered for? What legacy do you want to leave?
- Now, look at where you are now – in the middle of this global village; this digital age; this media influence society – with all its fluidity and ever changing standards. What do you see? Where are you? How are you doing? Do you feel in charge – on top of things? Do you feel like you are focusing and winning? Or do you feel overwhelmed, out of control, confused, conforming? What do you see as obstacles? Hindrances?
- Do you u feel hopeful? Write what you think and feel right now!
Every life is designed to have an amazing destiny and negative forces fighting it to be overcome.
There is this story of this young man in the bible who had a dream – a destiny! But he experienced amazing obstacles – grew up in a polygamous setting. Hated by his siblings, sold as a slave, worked as a house-help, suffered sexual harassment, suffered injustice, imprisonment etc! But in the long run, he attained his destiny.
Did all these seemingly insurmountable challenges sabotage his future permanently? No! What made him succeed in this pagan exile?
Then there is this young girl. She had a destiny! She was a total orphan, in exile – with an identity crisis! She couldn’t even be proud of her nationality – she hid it! She gets married to this cruel King that she rarely saw! She had to put her life on the line for a cause!
Did all these seemingly insurmountable challenges sabotage her future permanently? No! What made her succeed in this pagan exile?
There is David, Gideon and a few of these successful people with us today – the list of examples is endless!
These are stories that had amazing God ordained destinies of influence just like you and me!
I also had a sad story – growing up in exile and in poverty. I could not see the end clearly. But here I am, walking in my purpose and hopefully adding value!
A few years ago, I went for extreme adventure at Busiika – an obstacle race. It was extremely challenging but at the end is a zip-line? Sometimes life feels like that but the zip-line is such an inspirer and encourager!
You have an amazing God ordained destiny that may not be obvious to you now and there are forces against it! I feel like I am talking to no ordinary people but those called to leadership destinies!
This is about standing out; daring to be different. It is becoming an icon! A role model! An influencer for the greater good! A leader!
So, let us talk a bit about today’s challenges for the young person!
There is a season I was so overwhelmed by just learning from young people what was happening in their world that I had started to lose hope, until God whispered this to me, He said, “When the enemy comes like a flood, I raise a standard!” He showed me how with every challenges, He provides a way out! Then He pointed me to so many young people that are sober, steadfast, non-compromising and successful! And I said Oooh, Ok great! Now, looking at you here, eager to learn and grow gives me so much hope!
List of obstacles:
My fast discovery was related to family issues. So many young people have grudges with their parents and this has caused a big shift in intergenerational relationships. This in turn means young people cannot benefit from God’s original plan of being nurtured from home. Identity crisis, insecurities and anger lead young people to their peers and obvious unhealthy indulgencies – drug abuse, sexual indiscipline, peer influences. These indulgences hinder proper decision making processes.
Most educated youth now are digital and almost global citizens! More time is spent on the virtual platforms than in the real world. Unfortunately, real life happens in the physical and not in the virtual world. The digital platforms have both positive and negative consequences. Effective management of these platforms is paramount for success as a leader.
Secular humanism
This is a philosophy where man is at the centre of life. There is no absolute truth, no moral campus. Everyone is free to choose what is right and wrong. So, whatever feels right for you is welcome. This sounds liberating but it is not! Boundaries are protective.
New age
It’s really a Have-It-Your-Way religion where deities are channeled through the various body movements and chanting. Here, one’s own mind validates truth and creates reality. There’s even a sector that worships femininity.
Witchcraft is on the increase among our young people looking for success, popularity, love, favours etc.
Human rights initiatives that have taken it too far In Uganda. Right now in Uganda, we have movements that want to advocate for sexual freedom where free sex is enjoyed by all ages with no restrictions.
House parties, bibandas (local cinemas), some youth friendly corners, substance abuse. Gender fluidity and diversity corrupted art & entertainment intentionally designed to derail young minds to the wrong path, music, videos, witchcraft, phone and social media addiction – the list is endless. Youth friendly corners; digital booths where life skills’ training takes place to individuals through headphone, blind dating, cyber bullying etc
The current virtual world is an epidemic of loneliness, anxiety, mental breakdown, suicide. With the breakdown of moral cultures and with no moral compass the notion of monogamy and virginity is a joke.
Choose to live your life with intentionality. You have a choice! You are not a victim but a victor!
- Choose to put God at the center of your life. He designed you and He knows better!
Cultivating an intimate relationship with Christ through His word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. As you pursue the Kingdom, all these things will be added unto you – the grace to navigate the current fluidity! There are no short cuts!
- Embrace your divine call and destiny to leadership. John Maxwell says leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less!
And by leadership I mean the ability to have positive influence for the greater good as you pursue this call in whatever sphere God has designed you to operate in. You are designed to steward a designated sphere. Find out what this purpose looks like for you! Believe in yourself and your future!
- Embrace your divine unique copy-write identity! Focus being authentically you and on pursuing your divine destiny!
Do not fall under the pressure and temptation to compete or conform. Watch out for distractions! Peer pressure, addictions, need for validation from wrong places. Just be you and you will have influence. People normally flock to authentic people. Just because you have seen your friend well off, you want to get there by cutting corners. This doesn’t yield long term benefits.
- Embrace the development of character! Character matters! Good values matter! Your character will be tested for approval!
Every day of your life now is a life exam. Joseph went through tests, David, Moses, Esther – all of them were tested through the obstacles they faced and they passed! They got approved! As a result, they shone and they made a difference. You can also be approved through daily choices! Everyday matters.
Values like focusing on what will lead to future success daily. Values like hard work, discipline, integrity, accountability, patriotism! Love your country. Pray for it, bless it. Creativity and innovation. Avoid offense, forgive and let go!
- Choose your circle intentionally! Your company matters! Mentors, friends etc.
This is a unique moment, an opportunity, a turning point that is usually missed by many but leveraged by a few wise ones!
Listen to the older generation.
