Generation.

"Untold Stories of Columbine" is a taped recording of a talk given by Darrell Scott.  His daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, was tragically killed during the infamous Columbine shootings.  His talk consists of excerpts from Rachel's journals, spiritual revelations about this generation of young individuals, and testimonials of how many lives were drastically touched because of God's use of Rachel's life.

Obviously, it was a sad topic, yet I sat and listened in amazement at the desire one young woman had to serve God.  Her determination to sacrifice everything, even her own life, in her pursuit of Christ is incredibly inspiring.  It's also incredibly sobering.  As her father was discussing the ministry of his daughter through her life and death, he spoke of God's anointing on the generation to come.  He spoke of a bravery, of a commitment, in the youth that hasn't been seen or experienced before.  This both excites and terrifies me.

Ironically, just last night a dear friend and I were discussing Rachel Scott.  My friend was talking about a word from God that she had received.  As she was talking about this revelation from God, I grew excited for her because it was very clear that He has something special for her life.  And yet I felt terrified as well because it really brought into perspective that God doesn't make mistakes, He has a plan for the generation coming up, and it will be fulfilled.

That should be exciting, right?  It totally is!  So why do I say it terrifies me beyond words?

In January of 2011, we were singing at a church in Ohio when a woman spoke a word of God over me.  I let it rest in the back of my mind and eventually chalked it up to a mishap because it made no sense to me.  Surely God knew better than what this woman was telling me.

A few months ago, in a ladies meeting at my home church in Kentucky, a man spoke a similar word of God over me.  (Yes, there was a man there.  It makes sense when you don't think about it...)  Clearly, this just meant I had met two crazies in my life's journey, because if the word truly was from God, He had lost His mind.

A few weeks ago, in a church service held in West Virginia, a woman praying over me gave me a similar word from God.  At this point, I have realized that God has most definitely lost His mind, but that He speaks crazy pretty clearly.  Three different people in three different churches located in three different states have all said the same thing.  

What's the word from God?  That I will be a leader of my generation.  Please.  Try to contain your laughter and maintain your composure.  For a girl who has difficulty leading herself, you can imagine the fear that ignites in my heart.  Although I am incredibly honored, I feel incredibly inadequate.  Lord, I can't stand half my generation!  How do You expect me to lead it?

To this day, it still makes no sense to me.  All I have to my name is a bank account, a debit card, and a learner's permit.  But somehow, someway, that doesn't matter to Him.  He has a purpose, and if He has claimed this generation to be His, you can bet your bottom dollar it will be.

I'm excited to see what God has in store for this generation to come, and I'm excited to see how He's going to use His children to bring forth His purposes.  Right now, things look kind of rough.  Christians, especially young ones, are settling into complacency and lukewarm relationships, pursuing other desires before the heart of Christ, and compromising in ways that distorts their witness. 

But I know God is calling out a generation of Rachel Scotts, a youth sold out to Him in ways that we've never seen before.  My prayer is that God sets this generation on fire for Him and that individuals will reflect Psalms 78:7, "That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments."  If you will, I challenge you to join me in this prayer for a revived youth and a generation set after the path of God's heart and will.  And I humbly ask for your prayers as I surrender to Christ and allow Him to have the reins to do whatever He wishes with this life of mine.  I encourage you to pursue direction and instruction from God, because if your heart is invested in Him, I guarantee that He has a purpose for you.  May you rise to be a leader of your generation with His strength and grace.