Unplugged and Present: What 15 Middle School Girls Taught Me About Rest
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. ”
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to take 15 middle school girls to the Smoky Mountains for a retreat. Yes, there were late nights, plenty of laughter, and moments where I wondered just how long they would make me sing karaoke on the bus ride home. But as I drove back, I realized that I felt more alive in Christ than when I had left—stronger because of the intentional choice to step away from the busyness of life.
I’m learning in ministry about the cycles of busyness. (Plot twist: it’s always busy.) But fall, especially, feels like the calm before the storm, right before everything ramps up. Honestly, I questioned my own sanity in planning a retreat right before the hectic season ahead. In the coming weeks, I’ll be preaching, juggling additional ministry responsibilities, attending more Christmas parties than I can count, and somehow squeezing in time with family amidst all the chaos.
Yet, as I reflected on the weekend, Isaiah’s words resonated deeply:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)
That promise came alive for me this weekend. We took intentional time to connect with each other and, more importantly, with the Lord. We set aside moments for devotions, small group sessions, prayer journaling, and simply being still before God. And while my ears are still ringing from all the screaming, I found myself not wanting to leave that sacred space we had created.
In many of my conversations with my students—and even with some of their parents—I often hear the same refrain: “I’m just so busy.” Our quiet time and rest in Jesus are constantly competing with every single thing this world throws our way. We live in a culture that idolizes busyness, where packed schedules are worn like badges of honor. But in the midst of all that noise, we are starving our souls of what we truly need: stillness, rest, and intimacy with our Savior.
Gen Alpha is growing up in a world that often prioritizes productivity over spiritual growth. According to Barna Group, many parents express concerns that their children are too busy to cultivate spiritual practices like prayer or reading the Bible. However, studies also indicate that parents who intentionally set aside time for faith-related activities for their children—like devotions, prayer, and church attendance—are more likely to have children who develop strong spiritual habits into their teen years.
What amazed me most this weekend was how these girls longed for this time away. They weren't just going through the motions—they were genuinely eager to dive into small groups and were relentless in making sure we didn’t miss any of our devotions. Their enthusiasm was so contagious that it inspired me to seek out more moments of stillness and rest in my own life.
What truly moved me was watching these girls embrace intentionality. Seeing them step out onto the porch with their Bibles, seeking God in the early morning quiet, filled my heart with so much joy. In a world that constantly tells us to keep moving, we chose to be intentional about resting in God. And while there may not have been much actual sleeping, there was an abundance of true rest.
As we head into the holiday season, which can often feel like one long sprint, I encourage you to carve out moments of stillness. It doesn’t have to be a grand retreat in the mountains—sometimes it’s as simple as turning off your phone for an hour, sitting quietly with your Bible.
Is your schedule overflowing with activities that leave you drained, or are you making space for the things that truly matter? The girls I spent the weekend with reminded me that rest doesn’t come from the absence of activity but from intentionally choosing to be present with God.
Generations Set Apart: 7 Reasons Scriptural Holiness is Vital Today.
“May we all thus experience what it is to be, not almost only; but altogether Christians.”
In his recent, widely shared post, Clayton Sidenbender emphasizes the increasing draw to Wesleyan theology. For what it’s worth, I, too, believe this will be especially common among Gen Z and Gen Alpha in the upcoming years. There is a revival of Wesleyan-Arminian theology, cultivating a spirit of hunger worldwide. Amid the burdens of today's world, the message of Entire Sanctification brings about a grace-filled hopefulness to those who choose to pursue it. Because I work with students daily, I often see firsthand the battles they face, many of which I have not faced myself, though I am only one generation away.
I am hopeful, though, because the message of Entire Sanctification can help younger generations now more than ever.
Here are seven reasons why the message of Scriptural Holiness is vital in today's society and why I believe, as Sidenbender states, young people are running towards the Wesleyan doctrine in this day and age.
1. Holiness Creates True Community That Overcomes Loneliness
Often described as one of the most technology-fluent generations, Gen Z (born 1997-2010) has grown up with limitless access to information and computers. Gen Alpha (born 2010-2025) will be the first generation ever fully immersed in technology from birth. According to research, 90% of children aged 2-11 have a smart device. And even though they may feel more "connected," teenagers and kids alike are engaging in fewer face-to-face interactions. As a result, reports of loneliness are skyrocketing among individuals found in these two generations. Research has shown that approximately 73% of individuals aged 16-24 report struggling with feelings of loneliness. Pursuing holiness provides a deep, life-giving community rooted in God's perfect love. As we strive to become more like Jesus, we understand that God is relational and He calls us to be, too.
2. Holiness Cultivates Self-Giving Instead of Self-Seeking
With such widespread access to the digital world, both Gen Z and Gen Alpha are placing a greater emphasis on individuality and self-expression than we have seen in previous generations. Gathered from the vast amounts of studies conducted on past and present generations, research consistently points to the same conclusion: a rapid rise in individualism. Though society seems to be encouraging an emphasis on self now more than ever, it often comes at the cost of more profound, meaningful relationships. Holiness brings God and others to the center of our attention rather than wasted energy focused on self. In his book Let's Start with Jesus, Dr. Dennis Kinlaw paints the perfect picture of self-giving love that Jesus modeled for us: this kind of love is other-oriented. As we become more and more like Jesus, others become more and more of the focus.
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)
3. Holiness Brings Hope in a Hopeless World
Unfortunately, Gen Z and Gen Alpha have faced numerous global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability and unrest, and international wars. It often seems as if a new potential disaster emerges every week. These challenges have no doubt fueled rising levels of anxiety and hopelessness among the world's young people. It should come as no surprise that approximately 57% of Gen Z say they feel less than optimistic about the future. Praise Jesus that the message of scriptural holiness brings hope not only for today but also for eternity. Rather than being burdened by legalism, young people are finding a freedom in Wesleyan tradition that they have not experienced before.
4. Holiness Fosters Reconciliation in a Divided Society
The ongoing breakdown of traditional family structures and the ever-evolving societal norms have left our rising generations seeking guidance on how to build healthy, authentic relationships. From murders to riots to cancel culture, discord overshadows nearly everything technology exposes us to.
Scriptural holiness is a call to love both God and others perfectly. As God loves us, so should we love others. This is a framework for what our relationships should look like. It should come as no surprise that some of the most common stories from the Asbury Outpouring in February of 2023 were those of relationship reconciliation: story after story has proved that the heart of God is for us to be reconciled in our relationships with others. Holiness restores broken relationships through the love of Christ, creating unity where division and discord once were.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18, NIV)
5. Holiness Calls for Authenticity Over Hypocrisy
From political leaders to educators, upcoming generations crave authenticity more than ever in their relationships and institutions. Because God created us for community and because this seems to be where these generations are lacking, they seem increasingly drawn to transparent, genuine relationships. One of John Wesley's guiding principles was radical accountability to his peers; this fact should not be lost on us. Holiness calls us to live transparently and sincerely, reflecting the authenticity that Gen Z and Gen Alpha desperately seek in their relationships.
6. Holiness Grounds Us in Truth Amidst Misinformation
With the widespread access to media and technology, our rising generations have been exposed to undeniable amounts of misinformation. They are often exposed to multiple conflicting narratives and find themselves overwhelmed in discerning the truth. Unfortunately, this makes Gen Z & Gen Alpha more susceptible to mistrust. This is exactly why the message of clarity and truth in scriptural holiness resonates with today's young people. Scriptural holiness is a Biblical, unchanging truth that provides stability in a world riddled with misinformation.
7. Holiness Gives Purpose to a Restless Generation
Studies continue to show that Gen Z is the least religious generation to date, with a rapid decline in religious affiliations, in stark contrast to previous generations. Many individuals in this generation identify as spiritual but not religious, suggesting they are still searching for meaning—likely because they are missing a core part of how they were created. Holiness gives lasting purpose by aligning individuals with their God-given identity and mission, filling the spiritual void that leaves so many searching for meaning.
The Missing Piece
In a time where feelings of loneliness, self-centeredness, division, and despair are running rampant, the message of scriptural holiness remains a steadfast source of hope and renewal. Entire sanctification isn't just a doctrine or an unrealistic goal; it is a Biblical truth that can radically transform our lives. When we pursue holiness, we allow God's love to flow through us in a way that is unlike any other.
Now more than ever, people—especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha—are desperate for authenticity, truth, and community. What's interesting is that often they are searching for the hope that scriptural holiness offers, and they don’t even realize that is the answer they are looking for. Yet, this important truth meets them where they are, addresses the challenges they face, and points them to a life of fullness in Christ. The call to holiness isn't just for some, but for all who long for something more than what the world can give.
Scriptural holiness isn't just a temporary solution; it is the very thing our world is missing, and it's the only path to the fullness of life we've been searching for.
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV)
References
Ballard Brief, Isolation Among Generation Z in the United States
Kinlaw, D., Let's Start with Jesus: A New Way of Doing Theology
Psychology Today, 3 Things Making Gen Z the Loneliest Generation
Roots of Loneliness Project, Loneliness Statistics by Demographics
Sidenbender, C., 'Wesley Is Fire Now' and Evangelicals Are Being Strangely Warmed, Christianity Today
In Sync with The Spirit: Lessons from Whitewater Rafting
A few weekends ago, I took some of my students on a whitewater rafting trip on the Ocoee River in Tennessee. I had never been before, but we had a blast! If you have never been, I highly recommend it.
We needed three boats for our group, and I somehow ended up in the boat with all the girls who had never rafted before—it made for a great time. Our guide, Felix, was great and so patient with us as we went down the river.
Before we started the trip, Felix taught us the basics: how to paddle in unison with each other, paddle forwards and backward, and quickly get into the boat if we needed to protect ourselves. Quite frankly, we were terrible at paddling in unison. He would say, “Paddle forwards,” and we would be laughing or looking at the other boats and miss our cue. Or, he would tell us to paddle five times, and some of us would end up paddling three times while others paddled four. We were so out of sync that we just started going in circles!
Towards the end of our trip, Felix told us about a big rapid we were approaching. He said we could either do it the easy way or the extreme way, but if we chose the extreme way, there was a chance we would flip the boat if we didn’t do it right. Well, our little adrenaline-seeking boat decided we were all in on the extreme way—though I am not sure why we thought that was a good idea after the way we had been paddling! We hit the rapid entirely sideways, and there we went—all six of us out of the boat and into the river. I’ll admit, it was actually pretty funny once I realized I wasn’t drowning. But I’ve been thinking a lot about how life is like whitewater rafting. If we aren’t in sync with the Guide (the Holy Spirit), there’s a good chance we will get tossed out of the boat a time or two.
Felix knew every twist, turn, and rapid of the river and was constantly preparing us for what was ahead—just like the Holy Spirit knows where the paths we take will land us. It’s imperative to be in sync with Him. Galatians 5:25 tells us this exact thing: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Keeping “in step” means being attentive, responsive, and obedient to the Spirit’s guidance.
There are consequences to being out of sync with the guide. When we weren’t listening to Felix, we missed rapids, went in the wrong direction, and ended up out of the boat. Similarly, not listening to the Spirit’s guidance often leads to chaos, confusion, and even danger.
When you have five middle school girls in a raft trying to navigate a rapid, there is a lot of screaming and laughing. So, often, we wouldn’t hear our guide’s directions. I think this happens a lot in our spiritual lives, too. We are distracted with the rapids of life—whatever they may be—and we get out of sync with the Spirit, often leading to spiritual capsizing.
I didn’t realize how much of the heavy lifting the raft guides do on the trip down the river. Felix did everything he could to keep us on the right path and safe; he was constantly adjusting for the best route, even when we thought we were doing all the paddling. When we would mess up, our guide would adjust to get us back into the current. Similarly, the Holy Spirit does the heavy lifting, leading, guiding, and interceding for us. Still, we must be in sync with His voice. The Spirit provides peace in chaos, clarity in confusion, and strength in our weakness—but only if we listen and follow His lead.
In today’s society, it’s easy to get caught up in the distractions and demands of our time. Sometimes, the rapids make it really difficult to hear the Guide. This requires an adjustment: stopping, getting back in sync, and continuing on the journey.
I want to encourage you today to consider who is guiding your boat. Are you? Or is the Holy Spirit? Are you in sync with the Guide, or are you trying your best to navigate the rapids independently? He is willing to do the heavy lifting, but we have to be willing to listen to His voice.
Take a moment to reflect on your life today. Are there areas where you need to get back in sync with the Holy Spirit? Spend some time in prayer, listening to the voice of the Spirit. He knows every twist and turn ahead and is ready to guide you safely through.
Sin, Wash, Rinse, Repeat
I remember an encounter with someone a few years ago that sticks with me still to this day. Standing around in casual conversation, this particular person had been describing some of the temptations she was wrestling with. Unfortunately, she had not been successful in resisting the temptation. She let out a sigh of desperation and said to those of us nearby, “I am so tired of the sin, wash, rinse, repeat.” Immediately, most of those around just shrugged their shoulders in almost a “that’s just the way it is” kind of way and went about their day. I remember walking off, replaying this conversation in my head repeatedly. Later that evening, it hit me like a ton of bricks: she didn’t know the freedom of sanctification. She thought all there was to life was the struggle of sin, then asking forgiveness, only to be caught in the same situation again and again.
John Wesley once described the gift of entire sanctification as a “Grand Depositum.” Well, what on earth does that even mean? In simpler words, it means a great gift has been given to those who have the hope of Christian perfection. In his book, “Perfect Love,” Kevin Watson makes the case that Methodists ought to be the most excited churchgoers in history!! How true this is! Our denomination was founded on Biblical truth that leads to freedom and authenticity. Yet, somehow, along the way, we have drifted from excitement to dread, treating holiness as a burden rather than a gift.
As a student pastor, I see firsthand how the Methodist Church has failed the last couple of generations.
As a millennial myself, I had the opportunity to grow up in the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition. I frequently heard sermons on holiness, sanctification, and consecration, and though I didn’t always understand what those terms meant as a child, I developed a hunger for not just knowing about sanctification but understanding and seeing it in my own life as well. However, I have seen countless friends aim to try and live up to the standards they have created in their minds, thinking they would make them holy rather than receiving this gift and living in the freedom it brings. I have watched friend after friend walk away from the church because they felt more freedom outside of the church than they did inside the body of Christ. Where did we go wrong? Did we misrepresent this gift and allow it to do damage rather than offer hope?
I have had countless encounters with Gen Zers who are so unfamiliar with this term that they couldn’t even begin to tell you what it means, though they have also grown up in the Wesleyan tradition. Talking with students can be crushing; they are stuck in a sin that they so desperately want to be free of, but they don’t know the hope they have. Honestly, they feel as if they are on a hamster wheel with no way to get off.
Life does not have to be stuck on the sin, wash, rinse, repeat cycle.
Paul makes this very clear in Romans 6:22.
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
You can be set free, and that freedom, which bears fruit, LEADS to sanctification. Justification isn’t the end of the story. You are not on parole after you leave the courtroom of God stuck in ankle monitors and bound by chains. You are free to experience a new life.
I don’t know where we are headed as the North American Church, but I do know this: If we do not start embracing the gift we have been given, we risk seeing more and more young people walk away from the church.
It’s time to address the elephant in the room. Are we going to embrace our Methodist roots, or are we too scared to talk about them for fear of being canceled, making someone upset, or losing friends or maybe even family members?
The elephant in the room is growing and will soon leave no space for anything else.