No time for cliches
Like most such witticisms, the following phrase is funny precisely because it has a grain of truth:
Change the world before you are 17, whilst you still know everything.
Like most cliches, too, it resorts to caricature. Of course the bright young things do often feel they know everything. Just as often, though, they feel ready, willing and able to change the world whilst older people shake their heads and say it cannot be done. At last night’s Youth Service in the church where I work, we thought about inspiring young people like Logan McKerrow, who made a paper Olympic torch for a charity, and earned £12,000 for them. We looked at the story of Winston Duncan, too – a 10-year old in Virginia who founded a charity which has sent over 5000 bikes to Africa.
Last night I proudly unveiled a precious object which it has taken me some 8 months to procure – an Olympic ‘inspire a generation‘ banner (this one had been on display in Hounslow). When London made their final bid to the IOC to host the games, it was their drive to inspire the next generation of sporting heroes which won the day. Although I love the banner and the motto it bears, I have one slight problem with it. Inspiration travels in both directions – both up and down the generations. This, surely, is what Jesus had in mind when he told us to prove our love for God by loving our neighbour? No-one is exempt, and all can participate. You will not be surprised to learn that the video below received a warm welcome from all who watched it.
