Grace Enlow: "Millennials, Reformation and the Family Culture"

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under Heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

The Scale is Tipping – We are Poised for Reformation

God has not fallen out of step with His perfect timing. He hasn't found Himself "out of the loop" with the significant shifts taking place in the US. There is not a rebellious next generation of Millennials that has caught Him by surprise.

Within the past few generations, society has begun to investigate and redefine basic principles, mindsets, social and political norms, and we have questioned the very foundations we have built truth upon. I have seen this "skepticism" – if you will – especially grip this next generation of Millennials (my generation).

Everything seems to be debatable and undefinable. Society is reforming the barriers of sexual orientation, gender roles, gender equality, racism and political correctness. Old roots that have been planted deeply within the soil of our nation by previous generations are being dug up and scrutinized. The stage has been set-up for a massive reformation. With all that in mind, God is not afraid of our questions (or postmodern thought in general).

The diametric tendencies and marking characteristics of the next generation, Millennials specifically, which seem to be shaking up our nation within every sphere of influence, are all to be used to right the wrongs that have been swept under the rug. He makes all things work together for good, within His divine timing, in His perfect planning.

It can be easy to feel a sense of hopelessness or helplessness in the midst of what is being portrayed in the media right now. Systemic injustices are being brought to the light, and with that people movements are arising, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, the #MeToo movement, various other pro-women's rights movements, and various anti-human trafficking movements.

Patterns of corruption within our nation are beginning to surface. Even now there is another level of exposure happening in government—deeply-rooted corruption is being brought to light. All of these things that are happening in the US can feel uncommonly negative and scary. In reality, these were all seeds that were sown long ago, but now is the time to "pluck up what is planted." It's all in season. Nothing is random. There is a tipping of the scale that feels quite extreme, but it is only a recalibration of an opposing extreme. In order to have reformation brought to our structures on a larger level, the scale must be tipped.

Grace for Recalibration of Culture

I believe the Lord has shown me a great grace He is placing on our nation to endure this season of recalibration, redefining cultural and societal norms, and the revealing of good and bad roots within our structures. This is actually one of the most exciting times in America's history! God is so deeply invested in the details of what's happening. He is positioning key people, His sons and daughters, to bring His truth and His storyline to the great shifts that are occurring. We each have a place in this, and no one is a bystander.

I felt so strongly from the Lord to remind you that everyone is a piece within the big-picture of things that are taking place, and it's just a matter of going to Him to be positioned. Every generation is important and uniquely relevant. There is such an emphasis on family right now, as that is what His Kingdom is built upon. The importance of sons and daughters gathering around fathers and mothers cannot be overstated—younger generations gathering around older generations.

Each generation gains something for free that the last had to pay for. You can observe the progression of this throughout history. Every success achieved by one generation opens the door for the next generation to attain an even greater level of breakthrough. The Lord is focusing in on the model of family right now, and out of family we come to know who we are.

Society is trying to redefine labels, but through the family model the Lord is bringing truth to the national "identity crisis." Our God isn't afraid to work through the messes we make. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that, "He makes all things beautiful in its time..." The very fact that there is something to make beautiful means it must have looked ugly at the start.

Millennials – A David Generation

I believe that Millennials are a David generation. I realize that there have been many stereotypes placed on Millennials, a lot of them being negative, and there seems to be an "us versus them" mentality when it comes to the Millennial generation and the generations before them. The negative stereotypes are perhaps a result of a normal level of immaturity found within the age range of some Millennials, but the marking characteristics I want to focus on are the ones I believe God has wired into us!

Like David, we have an innate hunger for justice. We are a passionate generation who is lead primarily by our hearts. We are purpose-driven visionaries. We are uniquely wired for transformation—the status quo just won't do. In Scripture, David was driven by his passion and his sense of justice—so much so that He was able to partner with a supernatural strength or divine grace to see the impossible accomplished. When David faced Goliath, he didn't seem to stop for even a moment to weigh out the different possible outcomes.

"For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26)

David was so incredibly driven by his desire for justice to be implemented that there wasn't room for doubt or fear to have a place in his heart. We are to be a David generation marked by our impetuous passion and our bent towards compassion. Just like David saw so much of the impossible happening in his lifetime alone, we will see an acceleration of the impossible happening in society today.

Generations Coming Together as Family

We will see breakthrough in government and economy, breakthrough in scientific and technological exploration and advancement, breakthrough in the way media is portrayed and truth presented. As a society, we will gain ground that we have never inhabited before. This is a season of acceleration that will be accessed through generations coming together in family.

The Lord is working a redemptive narrative through my generation and the generations before mine to represent both heart and wisdom—through family, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters coming together. Even on the practical side of this, I feel that the Lord is focusing on the restoration of families. We will begin to see breakthrough in family relationships. Estrangement and disconnection will lose their footholds. Our Father is softening hearts and bringing healing to the brokenhearted. Disagreement will no longer be sufficient grounds for disconnection amongst family.

God is in our faces every day making old things beautiful again. Now is the time for us to run with hopefulness in our hearts and expectation of good things ahead. This is just the beginning of the beginning. The grace He is pouring out for this new season is available to us for the big-picture shifts taking place, but also for the details of our personal lives. Just as David came under the divine covering for every impossible circumstance he faced, we can also come under the same grace and see the impossible turned around in our favor. Expect victory and you will see giants fall at your feet. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

Grace Enlow with Johnny Enlow
Restore7
Email: Contact@JohnnyandElizabeth.com
Website: www.restore7.org | Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/grace.victoria.77

Grace Enlow, a Millennial revivalist and reformer, is currently a student at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. The third out of four daughters of Johnny and Elizabeth Enlow, she carries a similar heartbeat for empowering and equipping individuals to bring solutions and transformation into every area of culture.

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