My Soul, It is Another Exodus!

Quitting the Christian Faith has become disturbingly prevalent among American youths and young adults. It is something of a modern ‘exodus.’ “Seventy percent of Protestants age 18 to 30 drop out of church before age 23 and give multiple reasons for their departure” (Grossman, 2007). The reasons behind these developments are multifaceted and outright complex. Some view modern Christianity as un-Christian; concluding it is nothing like what the Bible portrays. Many youths struggle with scientific questions, ethical codes of behavior, other world religions, and of course, a ferocious craving to glut themselves with the world’s delicacies. David Kinnaman (2011), the president of Barna Group, described this “as their prodigious consumption of popular culture.” Other young people have been hurt or disappointed by church leaders; many view youth and young adult ministries as shallow (Kinnaman, 2011), out of touch with reality, superficial, and irrelevant. Some young adults are simply too busy to regularly attend church because of college pursuits and career ambitions (Reed & Kinnaman, 2012). They have abandoned Christianity by default, at least for a significant period of their lives. Still there are those who have little energy and patience for putting up with the narrow, judgmental, hypocritical, and bigoted attitudes that are typically associated with churches. As a result, multiplied thousands of young people abandon Christianity for nominalism, skepticism, or secularism every year.

Though many reasons have been given, there seems to be a common failure in each of these instances. My aim is not to over simplify these problems, or under appraise the frustrations our youth are facing. Never-the-less, there still seems to be a common mistake in each case. These frustrated young people lost sight of the Lord Jesus somewhere along their journeys. Perhaps they were too idealistic about Christianity to begin with! Undoubtedly, they are convinced they have legitimate grounds for walking away from Christianity. To be totally honest, some were never regenerated into a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3). Therefore, it is impossible for these to continue what has never really begun. Indeed, some were raised in homes and churches that did little to prepare them for the real challenges of faith in a scientific and secular society. Regardless of the stated reasons the vast majority of young people are walking away from Christianity by the thousands every year.

I am suggesting that they have been failed on two levels. First, mature Christians failed to communicate into these young souls the challenging nature of living by faith (Heb. 11). Secondly, these young folks failed to keep their eyes focused on the Author and Finisher (Heb. 12:2) of Christianity. A deep acceptance of the nature of the Christian Faith (Heb. 12:1), and persistent focus on our Model of faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, are essential to a faithful Christian experience. Other suggestions could be entertained, but these are at the heart of the issue. So, where should we begin? We begin by understanding the nature—essential complexity—of our race. Then having such understanding, we commit to running our marathon with corresponding endurance to the finish line.

The Christian life is a race that requires a significant degree of discipline and no small amount of endurance. This race can only be participated in or completed as one live by faith in Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:32-11:6). The Lord, with the utmost thoughtfulness, designed a race course for each child of God to complete. His plan takes into account His ultimate goal for each believer (Rom. 8:29). It is “set before us” (Heb. 12:1). Yes, the challenges, difficulties, obstacles, oppositions, persecutions, trials, and complications are all a part of the course Christ set each of us on. So are the privileges, opportunities, blessings, and victories. Whatever challenges we face are a part of the race He designed with our ultimate good in mind (Rom. 8:28; Eph. 2:10).

In addition, it is not a competition against other believers, but a challenge to remain on stride with God’s expressed and personalized plan for each runner. Knowing the Lord designed our race course heartens us to continue the race with “patience” (Heb. 12:1); that is, with undaunted persistence until we are finish. Our race course was not contrived by an insensitive detached tyrant, but caringly premeditated by a faithful, merciful, and empathetic Christ who has finished His own course. With discipline and endurance Christ completed His race, and so it shall be with us. Each of us must decide to run the race until we finish our course all the while keeping the faith (see 2Tim. 4:7, 8). Therefore, now is not the time for quitting, but it is the time for running our race at a steadfast pace enduring until Christ receives us unto Himself.