Gotta Have It Now?

Companies are strategic in how they target buyers. They want to lure shoppers in the language that particular market understands. Last weekend I saw an interesting example of this. A large ad hung from a youth store window that said: "Gotta Have It Now."

Today's youth get that phrase. Not only is it catchy with teens---its core to their knowledge of the world around them. Youth are accustomed to a fast pace. And they like it that way because they are skilled at living in the moment. "Now" is not in the past or the future. Now means at this present time. There's immediacy to now; it's prompt and instant.

Generation Y, also known as the Millennial Generation, Generation Next or Net Generation, is a "now" generation accustomed to DSL high-speed Interet and streaming Web content in 6 seconds or less. Gen Y is marked by familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies. To them soon and fast aren’t quick enough. They want it now. Furthermore they’re confident "now" is not an upgrade, it's simply standard.

Anyone 20 or younger was born 1990 or sooner. If that describes you, your life has been filled with: microwaves, the Internet, iPods, iPhones, texting, IM, digital answering machines, MP3 players, GPS, eReaders, PlayStation, Xbox and blu-ray disc where you can download games or movies... right now. “On demand” is a term that is ordinary to you. In fact, you probably learned how to send an email message to your cousin in Connecticut before you learned how to address a paper envelope to him.

I lived near Disney World in Orlando when I was a teenager. I enjoyed going to The Magic Kingdom which has a ride that features several hundred colorful costumed audio-animatronic dolls representing children from all over the world. The dolls sing and dance in unity to the song "It's a Small World." Perhaps for Generation Y, we should change the title track to "It's a Now World."

The new words go something like this...

Faith Verses Fast

Gen Y, there is so much to admire about you! You are sharp and those generations that came before you are confident that you will lead the world in helpful innovation and modernization. But as you march forward with your digital devices in hand, remember the Bible is clear; God's promises don't always come to pass quickly.

Be encouraged as you serve the Lord. Hebrews 12:2 declares, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (NIV).

I’m part of Generation X and I admit waiting isn’t easy for me either. In my own experience, I've prayed and waited on God for some promises for over twenty years. In most cases, I’ve been patient. I've seen the Lord answer my long time prayers in his perfect time. But there are a few instances where I rushed ahead and made a monster mess of things because I was unwilling to wait.

I'm not alone. Waiting wasn't simple for the the men and women of the Bible either. King Saul had trouble waiting. He went to a fortuneteller and ended up loosing leadership over the kingdom of Israel due to a pride filled heart. (Check out 1 Samuel 28.) Sarai also had trouble waiting. Rather than standing by Abram in his faith for God’s promised descendent she took her servant Hagar to have a child with Abram and created a family conflict that is still felt to this day. (See Genesis 16.)

The Psalms encourage us not to grow weary in well doing as we wait upon the Lord:

Why Wait Around?

2 Peter 3:8-9 reveals the important answer to why we must wait, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (NIV).

Waiting upon the Lord teaches us how to surrender and repent. We learn the meaning of atonement and God removes our guilt as we linger in His presence. We become like Isaiah who cried, “Woe to me!... I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips.” It wasn’t easy for Isaiah to delay his plans. Even he asked, “How long, O Lord?” But patience formed character in Isaiah’s life and he became a man inclined to the voice of God. When Isaiah heard God say, “Whom shall I send?” He answered, "Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:5-11). In the same way, God will prepare you over time to be a messenger of His truth to your generation.

The process of waiting and holding onto God’s promises by faith also develops godliness in our lives. While we wait upon the Lord our sin nature dies and God’s character is formed within us. This fundamental lesson may be harder for some born in Generation Y to comprehend because character doesn’t come quickly. When we don't get what we want immediately it causes us to step back and reflect. During the time of reflection we're able to examine our hearts, pray and read God's word to discover His will and plan concerning our lives.

Three Keys to Help You Wait:

1. Turn on your favorite inspirational CD or Christian radio station and relax. Sing the words of the songs and allow them to minister to your soul. This will quiet your mind and help ease the restlessness you feel.

2. Get out a journal and write your prayers. Pour your heart out on paper. This helps you release the pent up feelings of waiting. I don’t recommend keying your innermost thoughts on your blog and posting them on the Web. Leave some mystery about your life. Keep things personal. Let some things be between you and God alone. Instead of going "live" with your deepest thoughts, use an old fashioned journal and pen to write a poem about the difficulty of waiting and keep that poem hidden in the drawer beside your bed.

2. Encourage yourself in the Lord by reading the Bible every day and remaining in fellowship with other Christians. Try going to the coffee house, order a java, and listen to others share. You’ll see your trials aren’t so bad after all. It's also beneficial to lay your dreams aside and serve someone else while you practice patience in prayer. As we sow goodness in the lives of others God's blessing comes back to us with multiplied joy. Don't take my word for it. See John 15:10-12.

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