I am a self-proclaimed Zillennial, a term used to describe the “micro-generation” between the Millennial generation and Generation Z. I feel caught between both generations, not fully fitting into the assumptions and stereotypes of either.  

I am also a self-proclaimed idealist. I bristle when I hear the negative stereotypes about Gen Z: “they’re lazy,” “they’re sensitive,” “they lack resilience,” etc. While I understand the basis for these stereotypes, I hold great hope for this generation. I see a young generation marked by passion, a desire to do good in the world, a deep care for people who are different from themselves, and a propensity toward action rooted in the common good. 

This perspective is not just rooted in idealism, but also in experience. I see these characteristics in my younger siblings, two of which will vote for the first time in the national election this November. They’re asking thoughtful questions about what the candidates mean for their future and the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalized. I also see these characteristics exemplified in the students who were part of a summer civic leadership program that the Center for Christianity and Public Life hosted this summer. What we’ve named “The Public Good Generation,” is an intensive and immersive experience exploring the intersection of Christian formation and civic life for rising high school juniors and seniors. The students who participated in the program were already passionate about issues like criminal justice and immigration reform. They were also open to receiving different opinions with understanding and curiosity and were able to articulate their convictions with civility and compassion. 

I also see the temptations and pitfalls of this generation. There is a particular kind of despair around politics. There’s a sense that the generations before us failed us, and we’re left to clean up their mess. And there’s a repeated refrain: “This is the worst it has ever been!” In the age of Instagram and TikTok, it is easy to react to the constantly changing winds of social media activism, posting bite-sized clips as our only form of advocacy. 

I’ve been thinking about what I would tell myself, my younger siblings, and our Public Good Generation students to resist these pitfalls and temptations. The conclusion I’ve come to is that a faithful life of civic engagement as Christians will come from pursuing long obedience in the same direction, rooting oneself in the history of the church, and building intergenerational relationships.  

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01.  Justice as “long obedience in the same direction.”

This phrase, “a long obedience in the same direction,” was adopted and popularized in the last forty years by Eugene Peterson around Christian discipleship, but the term was originally coined by philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche regarding patience.The original quote was, “The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is that there should be a long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.” Nietzsche, F. “Delphi Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche (Illustrated): Friedrich Nietzsche,” Delphi Classics, 2015. 

When I think of “long obedience in the same direction,” I think of historical examples like Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to serving “the poorest of the poor” in the slums of Calcutta, India, and Dorothy Day, whose activism and journalism career were spent to end poverty in the United States and build the Catholic Worker Movement. I think of modern-day examples like Bryan Stevenson, who, for the last forty years, has dedicated his life to getting convicted inmates off Death Row and raising national awareness around the injustices in the U.S. penal system. I think of Gary Haugen, whose last twenty-five years have been building International Justice Mission, a global organization that protects people in poverty from human trafficking and modern-day slavery. 

These are individuals, inspired and sustained by their faith, who have committed themselves to pursuing the Kingdom of God on earth around a specific issue. That word “sustained” feels essential — a long obedience in the same direction requires a deep power that keeps you going when success feels elusive and injustice feels insurmountable.  

At the Center for Christianity and Public Life’s For the Good of the Public summit in 2023, Gary Haugen reflected, “The work of justice is long and boring it turns out. So what is going to equip you to do long and boring work for a long time is really what the work of justice is about.”Center for Christianity and Public Life. “A Conversation with Gary Haugen on Character and Justice. YouTube. Jun 12, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mi7Nj5qND4 

The temptation is for quick solutions, easy answers, and reactive responses. But this is lifelong work. When our justice work and civic engagement are moderated by the expectation that it will not always be shiny or instantly successful, this can help sustain it long-term.  

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02.  God’s sovereignty and a rootedness in church history

These are undeniably difficult times marked by economic instability, the impacts of a global pandemic, climate change, and an attempt to navigate a racial reckoning with America’s past. But to say this is the worst it’s ever been is to ignore a long history, both in America and in the church. When we understand the arc of history and the story of the ancient and global church, we can situate ourselves within the narrative. We can find a grounding in tumultuous times and see God’s sovereignty.  

Psalm 27:13 has been my constant prayer this year: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” It is a declaration of the Lord’s faithfulness and a reminder to recognize the goodness of the Lord in everyday moments around me. And I can say that I have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. My fears about whether my faith will sustain an uncertain future are steadied when I meditate on the early Christians who were persecuted by the Roman empire, or the Christians who fled oppressive systems in England to worship on their own, or the faithful Christians who started the Civil Rights Movement in the United States in the 1960s. I find models of faithful Christians who prayed and planned and protested. Our history is filled with stories of those who gave of their resources, who cooked meals, and who opened their homes to the most vulnerable. I am reminded that while the particular circumstances of this political and social moment are unique, the goodness of God’s character and the call on the lives of Christians are the same.  

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03.  Intergenerational relationships

I also believe that resisting the temptations of this age cannot be done in a silo, but that intergenerational relationships can be an antidote to loneliness, despair, and division. The Bible is filled with references to passing down knowledge to the next generation, listening to older and wiser voices, and the promise of generational blessings and curses. 

For young people, intergenerational relationships give us an imagination for what is possible. They also provide perspective and new insight. It all starts with a conversation! Your church, your neighborhood, and your family are great places to begin. And be bold in asking for prayer! I’ve found so much joy and strength in asking my parents, grandparents, and mentors to pray for me in the work that I feel called to do. 

For the (dare I say) older reader, my encouragement to you is to share your stories and experiences with young people in your life. Talk about the issues that matter to you and why they are important. Share about your first time voting and why you made the decision you did. What were the things that concerned you when you were their age? What were the historical events taking place? How have you seen the Lord’s goodness amid difficult times?  

Also, remember that the transfer of knowledge doesn’t just go one way. Listen when young people in your life share their thoughts and experiences. You’ll find that they are thinking deeply about the way our politics and culture are affecting them. And while you might want to offer a solution, listening to and validating their experiences will go far in bridging generational divides. You might even find your perspective shifting or expanding.  

Finally, pray for the young people in your life! Pray for the things they care about, pray for their public witness, and pray that their desire to seek justice and love mercy might be sustained. 

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04.  To Practice

Social Media Detox

There is so much pulling at our attention. Living in such a connected world makes it feel like we have to care about everything all at once. I challenge you to take an afternoon, a day, or a full week away from social media! Put your phone away, turn off your news alerts, and delete your apps if you have to. I find that when the noise is quieted it becomes easier to feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit in my own life. In this space (without others dictating what you should care about) ask yourself: what would it look like to use the advantages, resources, and privileges I have in my life to seek those opportunities for someone else?

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05.  To Watch

Michael Wear on the Spirit of our Politics

Michael Wear, Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life speaks in a two-part series at Westmont College’s chapel showing that the kind of people we are has much to do with the kind of politics and public life we will have. View talks here: September 9, 2024 and September 12, 2024.

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06.  To Watch

Gary Haugen on Justice & Character

Gary Haugen, founder and president of International Justice Mission, is an example of a life dedicated to justice work. In this video, he shares the practices and habits that have sustained a life of justice for him. Watch the conversation and reflect on what practices you might apply in your own life.

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07.  To Read

Whether this is your first time going to the polls or your twenty-first time, this guide provides you with five questions to ask yourself before you vote. I’ve found it to be a helpful, practical resource that takes an often overwhelming decision and makes it feel more manageable.