Psalm 145:4 – 7.  “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” What jumped out at me recently when I read this was the “I & They” reality. Testimony of a life lived for God gains momentum and increased impact when the baton is passed and received by another generation. This is especially meaningful to not only parents with children but to every single believer as we are all called to disciple others and to reproduce ourselves. That in itself can be challenging can’t it? I once hear it said: “You can teach others what you know but you will reproduce in others what you are.” So do I want myself reproduced in others? I suppose it might depend on which day you asked the question. But if we look with broad strokes and give ourselves a little grace, then “Yes” I want to reproduce what Christ has done in my life and have as many as possible benefit from it. One generation (mine) shall praise or commend the works of God to the next generation. The Hebrew word “shabach” which is translated praise or commend, also means “to soothe or still.” To me, and I think to every generation, it is most reassuring and comforting to know that God is sovereign, He is on the move, and someone who has run the race longer than me has something worthwhile to pass along! It brings a stillness and peace to the soul.

This passage also  has a Malachi 4 feel to it. “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” The spirit and power of Elijah is the power to turn the heart. John the Baptist was a fulfillment of this and many hearts were indeed turned to the Lord. Jesus carried on in a greater anointing and 12 key hearts were turned. In Christ, God manifested as a human father, calling his children to turn and be restored. Sad to say that only a remnant of the Jews turned to Christ and their city was struck with the curse of destruction by the Romans. But the church triumphant moved on; always has and always will. The spirit and power of Elijah confronts the false gods of our day even as Elijah did on Mount Carmel. Turning hearts from the false comforts of this age requires a spiritual violence, a spiritual force strong enough to separate hearts from whatever it is they’re attached to.

Spiritual mentors have experience in making these choices of turning from the false to the true. They aren’t perfect but they’ve matured on the journey and are still in pursuit; thus they are qualified to impart to others. Life is not all about ME. It’s about me and them; I and THEY.  I want to be fruitful while also sowing future seed. So my question to you is: “Who are THEY in your life?”