Waking Up to the Asian Youth Movement

[ Extracted and edited from D2Y2 Magazine – Issue #04, September – October 1996 ]

To drive the MESSAGE home, you need a MOVEMENT

Movements have come and movements have gone, yet its effect on the world are still very much evident. One of the most influential movement was known as the ‘Flower Power’ or ‘Hippie’ movement (a 1960s youth movement), where slogans like “Make Love Not War” were widely displayed.

This movement championed for individual freedom without stating clearly it’s limits. It fought for a breakaway from traditional values. It cried for the liberty to “do as you feel”. It fought to exalt self above all others.

As a result, a whole generation known as the Generation X was birthed. This was a generation also identify as the ‘no-direction’ generation. The same has seen the escalation of teen-age killings and suicides to a record high unheard of ever in the history of man. What has happened is that in removing the boundaries that God had placed for the protection and the direction of mankind, the generation before us has succeeded in creating a self centred and self destructive future.

Whilst many are still lost without a clue of the direction they are to take and whilst the suicide rate is increasing each day, many in Asia are busy minding their own business. They are not too bothered with the effects of the ‘Hippie’ movement. They are much too caught up with another movement that was introduced to Asia during the 80s.

The movement known to many as the ‘Yuppie’ movement. Like the ‘Hippies’, the ‘Yuppies’ also cry out for individual freedom. They also desire the liberty to do as they feel. They look for the quickest way to achieve such freedom. In the 80’s, came the mushrooming of colleges that offered the quickest and easiest, most inexpensive way to get a respectable qualification.

‘Young Urban Professionals’ or ‘Yuppies’ look for the quickest way to get to the top. They not only ask for high wages but demand for fringe benefits. That’s not really wrong in itself but Yuppies are willing to jump from job to job for better prospects without blinking an eye. Sadly, many are willing to apply the same principles into their relationships as well and this has given the perception that we are living in a generation that does not understand commitment and responsibility. They are known as the 6 C’s generation – career, cash, card, car, cellular and condominium.

Damaging

The effect on the church has been damaging. Youth fellowships across the nation have recorded an alarming decline in attendance. Even our own youths are caught up with the ‘yuppie’ movement whether they realise it or not. Our young adults pave the way. They set the standards. Their example is followed closely by the younger members.

Tuition Centre Revivals

Today, tuition centres are experiencing a revival and they are keeping our youths away from the church. It is the norm for Christian Fellowships in any school or college to face a decline in number when exams are like 3 months near. I used to hear testimonies to the tune of “if you honour God, He will honour you“. Have our young adults put career before Christ?

What Is Revival?

We pray for revival in our meetings. That is what we need today. A revival is something that is beyond us. It is when we find ourselves going further than our own natural understanding and ability. Revival is when our Christian Fellowships get more packed as exams draw even closer.

“When the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59 :19b)

If we are willing, God will make us His standard

God is raising up a standard against the flood of a worldly movement. lt is time for a godly movement to arise. If we are willing, God will make us His standard. May there arise a united youth movement under God that can save our homes, our churches and our nation from the onslaught of the enemy through his deceitful strategies.

I call the young adults to take their rightful positions as godly role models. l call the youths to get ready. God has promised us a revival. Let’s not miss out. Let’s make our lives count.

D2Y2, which stands for Don’t Despise Your Youth, was an official Asian Youth Ambassador (AYA) magazine birthed out in the late 90s. The printed materials communicated dynamic and effective encouragement to and from the Church, with special emphasis on the knowledge and experiences of our Christian youths, which we believe the content is still relevant and applicable in this current generation.