DAY 17 / I NEED HELP

Growing up as the youngest of four siblings, I never had to learn how to change a diaper. It was a skill I could easily avoid until I stood in a hospital room holding my newborn who clearly needed one. I had no idea what to do. Panic began to rise, and in desperation I pressed the call button and quietly admitted, “I need help. I’m not sure what I’m doing.” A gracious nurse walked in, showed me what to do, and saved the moment.

Reaching the next generation often feels the same way. None of us feel fully prepared, capable, or confident. God is not looking for people who have mastered every skill or solved every challenge. He is looking for people who will take a humble step toward a younger generation that is often quietly saying, “I’m not sure what to do here.” He invites us to step in and speak over them “the glory of God’s kingdom and tell of His power, and make known to them God’s mighty deeds and glorious splendor” (Psalm 145:11-12). Our calling is not to point them to our competence but to point them to God’s steady and unfailing faithfulness.

One of the greatest needs the next generation carries is the question of where to turn when life becomes overwhelming. God has chosen to answer this need through His people. Philippians 2:3 calls us to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but with humility consider others more important than ourselves.” When we embrace this value, we become a tangible expression of Christ’s heart. Jesus Himself did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). In a world that constantly says to focus on yourself, Jesus calls us to look out for those who will come after us.

When Christians live this way, something powerful happens. A self-protective world begins to see what humility looks like, what service looks like, and what love looks like. Needs are met, fears are quieted, and hope is passed from one generation to the next. The next generation does not simply see better people, they see God better.

PRAY

Pray for the places in your life, your neighborhood, your workplace, or your city where the next generation feels unseen or unsure of where to turn. Ask God to give you eyes to notice them and a heart willing to step toward them. Pray that your words and actions would make known the goodness and faithfulness of God to those who come after you.