Why "Living Generationally"

Hello, I am Breyonna Lowery. I believe the writing of our stories began beyond the day of our birth.  Our life story is woven into the history of those who have lived before us.  The stories of the previous generations give us a scope into which we can see our own.

The hardships that were overcome. Work built with willing hands. The traditions that were so carefully curated and practiced. Faith that was preserved through careful teaching and stewardship. Both the good and bad from the past generations are there for a reason—some for lessons to learn from and others to continue. I hope you are beginning to see that your story isn’t just your story it is a continuation of the previous stories already written. Waiting for you to add to it. At least this was the perspective that was treasured in times past.

 It seems to be a more modern phenomenon where we see our story based on our individual lives, beginning and ending with ourselves. Suppose you were to go up to the average person today and ask them about their great-grandparents or go even further back. Most likely they would not be able to answer that question.

Honestly, I would not be able to answer that question. And you may shrug your shoulders and think it is normal to forget those who have come before you. And I would say that attitude is a part of the problem which didn’t begin with you but has been sown greatly in our modern age. And I believe it comes from a great disconnect between the way God views family and how we currently view family.

If you read through the Old Testament, you will see the emphasis the Lord puts on a multi-generational family. Where not only the current generations would know Him but the next generation would know Him. Think about the genealogies we see both in the Old and New Testaments. You may be similar to me and have either hastily skimmed through the genealogies or grumbled when you saw it appearing in the next chapter. But I implore you to no longer have this attitude but to truly think and consider the importance of genealogies and why may the Lord have divinely wanted them in the scriptures.

Could it be that he wanted us to remember and reflect on the lives that came before us, carrying on the legacies or learning from the mistakes of our forefathers? Or seeing how his promises were fulfilled? Think about Abraham and his obsession with a multi-generational family. When you view family as the way God intended, a multi-generational team you will begin to see the scriptures differently. Even how you do ministry, (which is a blogpost for another day).

Think about Jesus and the call of Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus ultimately called us to build up the family of God. He wanted this multi-generational family (the church) from all backgrounds and walks of life to be united in Him.

See my dear friends, this modern shift to individualistic pursuits has left us confused, purposeless, and apathetic. This desire for community and family has been purposely woven within the depths of our beings since the beginning of time.  And of course, I understand that other factors add to the state of our current culture. But I do greatly believe that many of the issues come down from a breakdown in the family and a straying away from Godly principles.

We currently view life and family as a launching pad for individual success to the detriment of those who have sacrificially given their life to raise us. I hope you are beginning to see that this is not God’s intention for family.

You may ask “Breyonna, what is next.” And I would respond "I am most certainly glad you asked that question." Well here at “Living Generationally” we exist to help you pursue God’s intended vision of living a fulfilled life following what we see in scripture. Challenging you to consider not only the needs of the current generation but also how your actions and decision-making will affect those to come.

We are all created uniquely by the Lord. With unique visions, missions, and goals. Whether you are single, married, widowed, etc. Whatever status you fall into, you can live with a “living generationally” mindset building your own family or building the family of faith or both. Are you ready?