Discovery, Development, Deployment and the Danger of Adultolesence

At our next Senior Connection our topic will be God’s Will and Making Decisions.  Between now and Thursday Nov. 5th (the next Senior Connection) I will send you emails with thoughts about this subject as a supplement to what you will get at the November event.  There is so much more to be covered than one night can accomplish!  So, read these emails and come on November 5th to (God willing) receive help in this area.

“Discovery, Development, Deployment and the Danger of Adultolesence”

Discovery – Development – Deployment
Upon graduation you enter into a new season in life that is in many ways experimental.  You have a general, and in many cases vague, idea of “the life” to pursue after college (vocation, location, mission, etc).  I say “vague” by necessity, as most of you haven’t walked through the variety or number of experiences to test conclusions you have made about your giftings and calling.  At the age of 33, I feel as though I am just beginning to get a more accurate picture of the unique gifts God has given me for His glory and the good of others.  This has come through trying different things, listening to feedback from those I trust who evaluate these attempts, and discovering what excites me and serves others.

The following “timetable” is a piece of advice I received when graduating from college regarding this process.

1) Discovery – The 20s are a time of experimentation and discovery
2) Development – The 30s are a time of developing the gifts & desires you are discovering
3) Deployment – The mid to late 30s to 40s and beyond are a time of getting established in a calling

These, of course, are not hard and fast lines.  They overlap, can come quicker or slower, and sometimes you even return to a period you once “passed”.  For example, one might receive the call to go into pastoral ministry at the age of 45 and go back to school for development in his calling.  But, in general, this progression of discovery to development to deployment is helpful to have in your mind as you step off the campus.

Adultolescence
There is (at least) one danger that exists in America in the 21st century regarding this process.  There is nothing wrong (and I would say a lot right) with experimenting and attempting as a young adult, the problem is that “young adult” can last far too long in our generation/culture.  Consider the following statistic.

In 1960, 77% of women and 65% of men completed all the major transitions into adulthood by age 30.  These transitions include leaving home, finishing school, becoming financially independent, getting married, and having children.  By 2000, only 46% of women completed these transitions by age 30, and only 31% of men.”  To which Kevin DeYoung concludes, “’adultolescence” is the new normal.” – p. 13, Just Do Something

Of course, all are not necessarily called to marriage and children, but the specific criteria used is less important than the principle this statistic reveals.  The allurement of perceived less responsibility and more amusement in the college years and/or twenties can create a hesitancy to move past the “discovery & experimental stage” and into something more established.

As you think about God’s will for your life off the campus, I hope you think two things (or four).  One; discerning God’s will is a longer process than many perceive, involves more than a special revelation from God before taking a particular action and is often revealed through the “natural order of life” without having to agonize over looking for it.  Two; the responsibilities of life off the campus are not a drudgery to delay but, rather, the next step in God’s plan for your sanctification and joy.

A Resource

I highly recommend a short book by Kevin DeYoung, Just Do Something.  Many of the thoughts in these emails will have roots in this resource.  Click on this title at the CO Blog to check it out http://www.cominneapolis.org/blog/book-recommendations/ (and maybe even buy it).

until next time,