Overcoming the Generational Divide with Love
To be honest, her tone cut deep that day. My young son was having an allergic reaction at church, and I was not carrying medicine in my purse. When I asked an older woman whom I respected if she had any, she reproved me with brusque words. “You are his mother, why are you not prepared?” I gave her a wide berth for a while after that, but I never forgot to carry allergy medicine either. Even though her tone could have been kinder, her words prompted me to take necessary action. Later, she became a beloved mentor to me and gave sacrificially of her time and prayers. What could have turned into a permanent generational divide did not gain its victory. Why? Because both of us chose to love more than take offense.
The Biblical account of Ruth never ceases to speak to me of love that overcomes the brusque, sometimes difficult tones of an older woman. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, was grieving deeply over the loss of her husband and sons. The decisions her husband made caused suffering, but they had also brought her two daughters-in-law, who loved her. However, knowing she could not secure their future if she returned to her homeland, she tried to push them away, back to their parents’ home. Ruth could not be persuaded to leave the bitter, sorrowful woman, though. Ruth 1:16-17 records some of the most beautiful words of love written in the Bible.
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Somehow, Naomi had given Ruth a glimpse of the amazing God she served despite the difficult circumstances both had gone through. In the moment when Ruth could have chosen to leave Naomi to stew in her sorrows, she instead stuck with her. Ruth’s beautiful faith and her love for Naomi, despite Naomi’s bitterness, changed history. Eventually, Ruth met her Kinsman Redeemer, a picture of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, and became the great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 4:22). Notably, Ruth also became the daughter-in-law of Rahab, the harlot who was Boaz’s mother. Ruth was also included in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5.
And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
Truly, the generational and cultural divide could have prevented this beautiful story from happening. But love changed history. Before the Gospel was fully revealed in Jesus’s coming, death, burial, and resurrection, the unconditional love of its message healed a brokenhearted woman and wove a love story for the ages. We still desperately need its message today. The secular messages of the world are gaining influence on social media, and into our churches. The labels of “boomer and Karen” are spoken with rolled eyes and quick dismissal of the wisdom some of these older generations offer. And older women can be quick to point out the lack of resilience in the Millennials and Gen Zs, instead of praying for wisdom to speak the truth in love. When God revealed the mystery of the church, He planned for the older and younger to grow in faith together, edifying, encouraging, reproving, and instructing one another with LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13 is a life to live, not a saying for the wall.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Satan fights hard to divide and cause discord at every opportunity. We must not be ignorant of his tactics. Take every offense with new purpose to love anyway, to pray, to reach out sacrificially, and to live out the Gospel you say you believe in. Why? Because God’s people are not known for how they dress. They are not known for what they are against. They are not known for conformity of culture, generation, or personality. No, they are known for their love.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35
The generational stereotypes have no place in the church. Neither should they be glorified by Christians online. This hurts the cause of Christ and shames His name. I pray that we, as beautiful women of faith, live like Ruth from this day forward.
His Song in the Night 