Quarterlife Crisis

God's presented me with several unique opportunities over these past few weeks to speak to groups of women or individual women all at the same exciting and somewhat precarious season of life that I like to refer to as the quarterlife crisis.

I can't take credit for the term. John Mayer first coined it in one of his songs and there's actually been a best selling book written about the concept. I fully realize that some of you may hear about the term, laugh, and take out your tiny violins to play a sob song for the poor twentysomethings who have their whole lives ahead of them with no immediate responsibilities outside themselves. I have to say that in my personal experience, however, it's a very real thing, and one that I think the Church, as a whole, needs to address to the upcoming generation.

I chose this picture for this post, because I felt it really captured what the post-graduation feeling may feel like for many. We've been climbing the structured ladder of academia for the past 16 years, giving our all to get past the current grade level an onto the next. Expectations for success are clearly defined in syllabi, feedback on progress is constantly given in grades and comments from those leading you, a clear beginning and end goal is always in sight, and a community of peers is readily available for fellowship and friendship.

Suddenly, the top rung of that ladder is reached only to discover that all of those previously mentioned elements are now gone, and the "world full of possibilities" ahead is the very problem. The next rung of the ladder is unclear and the potential choices are so overwhelming that they are almost paralyzing in nature.

Some of this has always existed, but I think there are a few dynamics in our culture today that make this life phase even more distinct:

• We're more educated than ever before, having spent a lot of time and money to enter a very precarious job market. The value of a bachelor's and even master's degree in our job market is lessened with the large amount of prospects who have one or both of these.
• We're getting married later than before. Our generation can be referred to as "the children of divorce" who clearly sees what they do NOT want to do. The good news is, that not many people are rushing into marriage. The bad news is that many times this is resolved by living with one person to the next trying to find "just the right one."
• Because we're not pressured w/ responsibilities of providing for a family, we also switch from job to job and even career to career trying to find "just the right one." Often finding significance and enjoyment from a job is given just as much credence as salary and prestige.

The sad part that I see, is that all the answers that the world is giving only further lead to the misconception that if we can grab "just the right rung" on the ladder, we'll finally arrive at "the top" that we've been working towards our whole lives. I'm learning more and more that God is less concerned about me "arriving" anywhere, and most concerned about my climb with Him throughout my lifetime.

My heart is to see the Church embrace this season providing both spiritual and practical guidance on very real questions and decisions that need to be answered regarding a life's calling, marriage, friendships, and our relationship with Him. I've got a few ideas, but what are some of your thoughts?