‘My once-atheist friends are turning to God’

Gen Z are a generation often characterised by their scepticism, overly digital lives and search for meaning. Yet they are experiencing a spiritual awakening. This isn’t just about a return to religion, law and order but a profound desire to believe in something greater than ourselves.

There are several aspects that may have brought us to this point: rejection of traditional institutions (we love to rebel), access to information (daily videos on our social media about the power of crystals, prayer and manifestation), desire for community, the influence of social movements, and an interest in mindfulness and the present moment.

Feeling spiritual

In a recent article that has been circulating in the Christian scene, The Times not only shares the testimony of what God is doing in Gen Z, but alerts a wider audience to a movement with a very clear agenda: it’s time to believe in something greater than what we can see and feel. According to The Times, “62 per cent of 18–30 year-olds identify as either ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ spiritual, a third of which also said they believe in the existence of God.”

Living the lifestyle is controversial, but being obedient to God is what sparks the most curiosity

With this in mind, one of the greatest joys of my life so far has been watching my generation return to seeking after an intimate relationship with Jesus. Not just a lukewarm, mediocre pretence fuelled by the adrenaline of flashing lights and smoke machines, but a real, honest obsession for his purity and holiness.

An all-in kind of lifestyle.

A people who understand that ‘my truth’ and ‘your truth’ ideologies are getting us nowhere, except to go round in a circle of chaos and confusion. A people who remember that Jesus is, in fact, the way, the truth, and the life. A people who regularly hear the news of our spiritual leaders/parents morally failing and yet choose to build social media careers dedicated to spreading the word of the Lord among their peers, rejoicing in the call to fulltime ministry.

We simply refuse to have anything short of purity and holiness. We will not allow ourselves to just sit in a posture that no longer glorifies God.

The Times article takes the social media angle, talking to influencers using their platform for Jesus and leading with the headline: “It’s beautiful waiting for sex”. This subject matter would have been more controversial than helpful if it had appeared 30 years ago, yet it now recommissions Gen Z back into a lifestyle of obedience - or rather, rebellion from the norm. In the 1990s, to rebel was to go against Christianity. Now, the dogma is atheism; to rebel is to follow Christ.

Living the life

I have come to realise that living the lifestyle is controversial in this day and age, but being obedient to God is what sparks the most curiosity.

At university, several friends entered my life who were atheists, and often actively against my faith. Yet as we began to discover more about who we were, they remained inquisitive. I had something stable in my life, a ‘constant’, which is radical enough when you’re in your early 20’s.

I was - and still am - so actively and openly in love with God, which I believe rather confused them. At university, my faith was, perhaps, just a ‘Jessica thing’. Over time, they grew to respect that but never wanted it for themselves. But since graduating, I’ve become a lot louder about the lifestyle I’ve chosen to follow. I post Bible verses on my social media and share my journey with the Lord as I navigate my life, looking for a job, or a home to live in.

Now, the dogma is atheism; to rebel is to follow Christ

It must have sparked something, because it has been four weeks since they have all reached out to me independently of one another on social media, asking me the same questions…And they have all, in their own spaces, started attending their local church. These people - who studied engineering, law, physics and astronomy and are now in highflying careers around the globe - have chosen, amid the instability of the early years of professional working careers, to begin walking this faith journey too.

They recognise that something is missing from their lives, and while attempting to argue against the more controversial aspects of the faith, even their science - which they once thought disproved God - has now begun to prove his existence. In fact, they realise it goes hand in hand with what the Bible says, rather than against it.

One in particular has decided to get involved in a community at their church with the “hopes of encountering Jesus with my own eyes”.

Revival

This revival is going to look very different to what’s gone before. At least, that’s what my Gen Z outlook would be.

But by being a witness and remaining in pursuit of purity and holiness - even when it feels like the world would rather a crystal heal them than their King and Savour - we know that people will return to Jesus in moments of crisis.

He is the only way, truth and life.