The following quote perfectly captures how much the world has changed in just a few decades. It paints a picture of childhood that was simpler, slower, and less dominated by screens. There’s something nostalgic about it—a longing for a time when kids found adventure in their own backyards instead of on digital devices.
“My kids wanted to know what it was like for me growing up. So I took their phones, shut off the internet, gave them a popsicle, and told them to go outside till the street lights came on.” — Unknown
But beyond nostalgia, it also raises an important question: What are we passing on to the next generation?
Technology has given us incredible tools, but it has also reshaped the way we live, learn, and connect. Many children today have never experienced boredom in the way past generations did—because the moment boredom appears, a screen is there to fill the gap. But boredom once led to creativity. Silence led to reflection. Stillness allowed us to hear God’s voice more clearly.
God’s word reminds us of something essential: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16, BSB). The ancient paths are not just about tradition or nostalgia. They speak of God’s way—His wisdom, His truth, His rhythm for life.
In an age of constant noise, we need to ask whether we are following the “good way” or simply being carried along by whatever is newest and most convenient.
It is easy to lament the way things are today, but our calling as believers is not just to look back; it is to lead forward. How do we teach our children—and remind ourselves—to seek the ancient paths? Perhaps by setting aside distractions and making room for things that truly matter. By prioritizing real conversations over endless scrolling. By ensuring that faith is not just an occasional thought but the foundation of daily life.
Maybe that means putting down the phone and picking up the Bible. Maybe it means making family time sacred again. Maybe it’s as simple as stepping outside, watching the sunset, and remembering that God’s presence is best experienced when we slow down enough to notice it.
What are we handing to the next generation? A world of distractions, or a legacy of faith? Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33, BSB). If we model this, our children will learn not just how we grew up, but how to walk in the good way—the way that leads to rest for their souls.
Related Passages: Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Psalm 46:10, Proverbs 22:6
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