Advice

CHALLENGE

Risen indeed?

If the Resurrection is truly in our hearts, we can no longer fail a despairing generation, argues HILARY MCDOWELL

This month the results of a Province-wide survey in Northern Ireland are said to reflect attitudes throughout the UK. Its findings are startling and are all about life, or sadly the lack of it, in our teenage population. More than half of teenage girls believe that life is not worth living and the suicide rate among their male counterparts is soaring in an alarming manner.

As we've celebrated Easter this year with its familiar proclamation of “Christ is risen”, and the joyful response, “He is risen indeed”, surely we must ask ourselves where have we failed the up and coming generation? Have they not seen our witness of praise and worship; our lives of joy and fulfilment, our gladness of heart and worthy lifestyles; our high examples of morality and self-sacrifice and most of all that relationship. The intimate, daily walk with our Saviour and friend that puts problems into perspective and makes living worthwhile. Have they not noticed these things in us, are they ignoring what they see, or worse still, does our witness fall so short of the example and commands of Jesus to his original followers that our teenagers have come to the conclusion that there is nothing much to write home about this ‘Christian thing’?

On Easter morning we celebrate the glorious fact that “death has lost its sting”, and we can rely upon Christ’s act on the cross and his resurrection for salvation, no longer depending fearfully on our inadequate efforts to pull ourselves up by our own bootlaces. Yet, in towns and cities throughout our country, despair resides in the hearts and minds of many who belong to the younger generation. Surely we dare not fail to ask why?

According to the young people surveyed they bitterly complain of too much pressure. They cite exams; home life; and how they look; as the three greatest areas of concern. Only 23% of teenage girls in Northern Ireland are happy with their body. But was it not ever so, we ask? Self-image and self-worth have always been at the root of adolescent insecurity. However, within a mere generation, the variety of communication channels of both print and technology have multiplied at an alarming rate. We know that the technology now exists to beam images and ideas into the home, (indeed directly into the bedroom which was traditionally the single most “safe” place of relaxation and affirmation of the self). Illustrating, as they do the most unrealistic goals in the area of materialistic lifestyle and self-image. It is in this area of unreachable goals where our human psyche sustains great personal challenge and distress. Depression can often have its roots here.

Have we failed to convey to our youngsters that it is not what they do or even what they achieve that makes us most proud but who they are to us and to God?

While they are struggling to achieve physical perfection by becoming more beautiful, more slender, more sexy in accordance with the teen magazine images of the supermodels, their Mums are watching TV programmes of surgical cosmetic procedures and wishing ... While the boys are struggling to establish a sense of belonging in questionable gangs, their dads are having male mid-life crises and working every hour God gives to establish a higher position in the pecking order at work.

A sense of belonging and self-worth are high priorities for every human being and is not this exactly what Christ offers? When “fellowship” is exactly that, – the oneness of the family of God at worship, in leisure, in work/ministry, then we truly “belong”. When we understand that the justification for our existence comes only from God (Romans 8:33/34) and that we are “the apple of his eye” (Deuteronomy 32:10) whatever the mirror shows, then a proper sense of self-esteem is established and when we are committed to him he reveals to us his will for the future, giving us an unrivalled sense of purpose for our lives. Then, even though our circumstances in this broken and imperfect world can often put us at a disadvantage, they can never destroy our hope (2 Corinthians 4:8).

St Paul himself had seriously inferiority issues despite being highly educated, a Pharisee (Acts 26:5) with a lot to boast about (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). He confessed to being a poor speaker (2 Corinthians 11:6) and we know he was also small of stature, and not the most tactful of leaders, to say nothing of the thorn in the flesh which haunted his life to the grave. Yet he knew exactly where, and in whom, his confidence lay – with God, and it made of him one of the greatest theologians, teachers, letter writers, and missionaries the Christian Church has ever known.

Speaking for myself, with seven disabilities from the womb, I have never entered a beauty contest for obvious reasons, yet thanks to what we celebrate on Easter Sunday, I have a sense of belonging, self-worth and purpose second to none. I can testify, with Paul, that Jesus has risen, and if we commit our lives to him, it does make a difference. If only we can get this good news to the next generation of young hopefuls and especially those for whom “hope” is a redundant word.

As we wage battles against sin and depravity; poverty and hunger; cruelty and injustice, let’s not forget there are other battles also to be waged in the name of our Saviour. Less obvious perhaps in these days of too easy acceptance of the surrounding cultural mores and pressures of the 21st century. Personal battles of self-image, fear and the ageless need for love and affirmation. Christ is risen? Has he? Do we believe it? Are we living embracing the benefits of it? Let’s show what a difference God’s sacrifice and love makes this Eastertide.

Hilary McDowell, author of five books and qualified deaconess, pastors and teaches across the denominations in her home town of Belfast, and throughout the UK and beyond

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		CHALLENGE Risen indeed? If the Resurrection is truly in our hearts, we can no longer fail a despairing generation, argues HILARY MCDOWELL This month the results of a Province-wide survey in Northern Ireland are said to reflect attitudes throughout the UK. Its findings are startling and are all about life, or sadly the lack of it, in our teenage population. More than half of teenage girls believe that life is not worth living and the suicide rate among their male counterparts is soaring in an alarming manner. As we've celebrated Easter this year with its familiar proclamation of “Christ is risen”, and the joyful response, “He is risen indeed”, surely we must ask ourselves where have we failed the up and coming generation? Have they not seen our witness of praise and worship; our lives of joy and fulfilment, our gladness of heart and worthy lifestyles; our high examples of morality and self-sacrifice and most of all that relationship. The intimate, daily walk with our Saviour and friend that puts problems into perspective and makes living worthwhile. Have they not noticed these things in us, are they ignoring what they see, or worse still, does our witness fall so short of the example and commands of Jesus to his original followers that our teenagers have come to the conclusion that there is nothing much to write home about this ‘Christian thing’? On Easter morning we celebrate the glorious fact that “death has lost its sting”, and we can rely upon Christ’s act on the cross and his resurrection for salvation, no longer depending fearfully on our inadequate efforts to pull ourselves up by our own bootlaces. Yet, in towns and cities throughout our country, despair resides in the hearts and minds of many who belong to the younger generation. Surely we dare not fail to ask why? According to the young people surveyed they bitterly complain of too much pressure. They cite exams; home life; and how they look; as the three greatest areas of concern. Only 23% of teenage girls in Northern Ireland are happy with their body. But was it not ever so, we ask? Self-image and self-worth have always been at the root of adolescent insecurity. However, within a mere generation, the variety of communication channels of both print and technology have multiplied at an alarming rate. We know that the technology now exists to beam images and ideas into the home, (indeed directly into the bedroom which was traditionally the single most “safe” place of relaxation and affirmation of the self). Illustrating, as they do the most unrealistic goals in the area of materialistic lifestyle and self-image. It is in this area of unreachable goals where our human psyche sustains great personal challenge and distress. Depression can often have its roots here. Have we failed to convey to our youngsters that it is not what they do or even what they achieve that makes us most proud but who they are to us and to God? While they are struggling to achieve physical perfection by becoming more beautiful, more slender, more sexy in accordance with the teen magazine images of the supermodels, their Mums are watching TV programmes of surgical cosmetic procedures and wishing ... While the boys are struggling to establish a sense of belonging in questionable gangs, their dads are having male mid-life crises and working every hour God gives to establish a higher position in the pecking order at work. A sense of belonging and self-worth are high priorities for every human being and is not this exactly what Christ offers? When “fellowship” is exactly that, – the oneness of the family of God at worship, in leisure, in work/ministry, then we truly “belong”. When we understand that the justification for our existence comes only from God (Romans 8:33/34) and that we are “the apple of his eye” (Deuteronomy 32:10) whatever the mirror shows, then a proper sense of self-esteem is established and when we are committed to him he reveals to us his will for the future, giving us an unrivalled sense of purpose for our lives. Then, even though our circumstances in this broken and imperfect world can often put us at a disadvantage, they can never destroy our hope (2 Corinthians 4:8). St Paul himself had seriously inferiority issues despite being highly educated, a Pharisee (Acts 26:5) with a lot to boast about (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). He confessed to being a poor speaker (2 Corinthians 11:6) and we know he was also small of stature, and not the most tactful of leaders, to say nothing of the thorn in the flesh which haunted his life to the grave. Yet he knew exactly where, and in whom, his confidence lay – with God, and it made of him one of the greatest theologians, teachers, letter writers, and missionaries the Christian Church has ever known. Speaking for myself, with seven disabilities from the womb, I have never entered a beauty contest for obvious reasons, yet thanks to what we celebrate on Easter Sunday, I have a sense of belonging, self-worth and purpose second to none. I can testify, with Paul, that Jesus has risen, and if we commit our lives to him, it does make a difference. If only we can get this good news to the next generation of young hopefuls and especially those for whom “hope” is a redundant word. As we wage battles against sin and depravity; poverty and hunger; cruelty and injustice, let’s not forget there are other battles also to be waged in the name of our Saviour. Less obvious perhaps in these days of too easy acceptance of the surrounding cultural mores and pressures of the 21st century. Personal battles of self-image, fear and the ageless need for love and affirmation. Christ is risen? Has he? Do we believe it? Are we living embracing the benefits of it? Let’s show what a difference God’s sacrifice and love makes this Eastertide. Hilary McDowell, author of five books and qualified deaconess, pastors and teaches across the denominations in her home town of Belfast, and throughout the UK and beyond © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.