I have worked a lot with young people in my life – counseling them – teaching them.  They have always held a special place in my heart, with all of their enthusiasm and potential.  Over the years, I have seen them put at risk as a result of the subtle influences of media, the instability of modern family life, and the pressures to conform to society’s ever changing values and beliefs.  As a result, many struggle with faith issues.

I recently had a conversation with a young college student who informed me that all of her friends on campus are atheists.  They say they don’t need God.  Their explanation is that science now answers all of society’s questions and people no longer need to look to religion for solutions or help.

“So,” I said, “they are making science their God.”  As we continued our discussion, she went on to say that her friends all smoke and when confronted with the health risks, they say they don’t care.  I then asked, “Are these the same friends who think they have solved the world’s problems and have it all figured out?”

At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel compassion for them.  This is what the world does to our innocent children – it confuses them and deceives them.  They have no use for church or for God’s Word, and they miss the point of having a relationship with God instead of just professing a religion.  In their opulence they have missed the opportunity to long for a Savior.

The conversation that day left me wondering how this generation is going to be reached for Christ.  When I asked if CRU was on her campus she replied, “Yes, but there are  only about four people in that group.”  I came away from our interaction with a determination to pray more fervently for this generation of young people.  I realized that they need to see our love so that they will be drawn to Christ’s love.

My prayer for them is that their eyes will be opened to the truth of God’s Word and that they will come to realize that the pleasures of this world cannot satisfy the inner longings of the human heart – the place that only God can fill.  God has set eternity in our heart.  When left unfulfilled, that longing naturally seeks satisfaction in other things – counterfeits that ultimately lead to emptiness.

He has also set eternity in the human heart;  Ecclesiates 3:11 (NIV).