Recently I’ve been reading “The Call” by Os Guinness, which is somewhat of a modern classic on the concept of Christian calling. In one segment, he talks about what leads to sloth and inactivity, and writes the following; “Loss of faith in God, and therefore in eternity and immortality, leads inexorably to an erosion of vitality in life itself. Max Weber wrote of the secularizing of the modern world as disenchantment.” The magic and mystery of life viewed under the aspect of eternity is systematically reduced and destroyed.” Much has been written about a modern crisis of inactive young people, especially young men. You may have heard of the stereotype of the young man who doesn’t have a job, isn’t getting an education, and is living out of his parents’ basement while playing video games all day. We also are constantly reminded of the mental health crisis plaguing Americans, and specifically young people. I’m no sociologist and I am not here to provide a full analysis or solution. But I will make a connection to what Os Guinness wrote. When secularism prevails, when fewer and fewer people believe in a personal God, or the true God revealed in Christ, then the natural consequence is a society gripped by pointlessness. If there is nothing higher, what is the meaning of life on earth? If there is no grander meaning, mystery, purpose, or wonder, then what is the motivation for ambition? Why pursue anything other than simple self(ish)-satisfaction? And then when that self-consumed life inevitably fails to satisfy, where does one turn? If there is no God above, there will be no “life” to life on earth. When the Almighty God is removed from the heart and mind, the entire person suffers malaise. Are we not seeing this in our day? I pray it leads to more and more people seeking purpose in the midst of their lifelessness, and finding they were made for a rich life of worship by a loving Creator. I think it is one of the great gifts offered in the gospel, that people are desperately seeking. Not only perfected life forever in the end, but meaning in life here and now.