The next chapters of Sticky Faith talk about the transition to college and “ups and downs” of faith. It’s easy to discount the first topic, but reading the chapter it’s easier to find things to relate to. Fewer than forty percent of kids feel prepared to find their own church. How hard is it to find a good church? What are things we SHOULD look for in a church vs what we think is nice to have?
College students find daily life overwhelming and they don’t have much time or energy to think about faith. I know I can relate most days. If reading the Bible, going to church, praying, and things that should bring us to a closer relationship with God aren’t in our routine; it can be hard to find the energy and time for faith conversations or disciplines. It’s hard to find balance in this transition. Contact with parents during this time is important.
It’s hard to trust God with a child. Cognitively, we know the God of the universe who loves our child so much that he died for him or her, loves him or her more than we could, and loves our child perfectly is the one we should trust with our child. It’s still hard. It’s also hard to not let our child become an idol in our life. We must remember, God trusted Joseph, Jesus’ adopted earthly father, too. “Trusting God with your child means that while you are still his chosen representative to your kid, you rest knowing that it is God’s power and mercy that will protect them over the long haul.”
These young adults need unconditional love. They will be trying things on their own and potentially failing, a lot. They need to know their parents, church, and God still love them. We all need to be reminded that, “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
It’s also hard to continue to let our child fail in safe ways, especially as the stakes get bigger. There are things we can help others do to make a transition easier. Think and talk about what a spiritual life will look like in a new location. What will life look like after a particular stage in life, how does it change? Celebrate things together. Listen to each other’s struggles. Every time struggles are shared with us we have the opportunity to listen and share that burden. Let someone confess their sin with the freedom from trusting God and the forgiveness he lavishes upon us.
We can all acknowledge, faith has ups and downs. Everyone needs help navigating those times no matter what stage of life they are experiencing. Sticky Faith points out we should expect a child to wander from the faith at some point for at least a season of life. Remember, it’s ok and healthy to express doubt.
After becoming a parent the relationship between God and Israel starts making more sense. We tell our toddler not to do certain things. She’ll do them: we continue to love her. She gets hurt doing them and we continue to love her. I’m sure there will be one day when she hurts us; but with God’s help, we will continue to love her just as God continues to love us. That’s the love and support God shows my sinful self. That’s the love and support I’ll strive to show my sinful children in this world.
We know people who make bad choices and we want to fix it. Some continue to make bad choices and it hurts. We still love them. Not every person will return to their God given faith; but they are more likely to return when they feel supported rather than abandoned. I can understand that in other areas in my life so why wouldn’t it apply to the matters of faith as well?
Through many challenges and significant events we grow and change. These can affect our faith. It’s hard and messy. This doesn’t stop in adolescence or young adulthood. We grow throughout our whole life. We would hope our faith and trust in God would continue to grow and deepen as well. As the people of God, we are a community to comfort and support one another as we struggle in any aspect of life.