We Are Young

By Jason Moore
Pastor, New Creation Presbyterian Church

Not long ago, I was talking with a friend when the song “We Are Young” came on the radio. He was surprised when I said that I like the song. It’s a party anthem with some adult themes. Maybe it’s not the type of song that a pastor should enjoy.

I first heard a part of this song when it was featured in a Chevy commercial during the 2012 Super Bowl. I liked the way it sounded so I downloaded it. I didn't expect the song to connect on a deeper level.

“We Are Young” is an anthem for the “millennial” generation (and for many of us “Gen X-ers” as well). It’s a song about embracing life and enjoying the time that we have as we try to “burn brighter than the sun.” But, this is not merely an anthem about having fun performed by a group named Fun. At the heart of the song is a refrain that we can all appreciate. “So if by the time, the bar closes and you feel like falling down, I’ll carry you home tonight.”

Life is filled with a lot of happy moments. But, when you’re at your lowest point...will someone be there to carry you home?

In the song (as the party rages on), there is a man who has wounded a woman. She’s trying to forget; he’s trying to take it back. His apologies ring hollow. There is uncertainty in their relationship...they’ll enjoy the night, but what happens when the drinks run dry, the music stops playing, the bar closes and everybody goes home?

How could a pastor like this song? Because this pastor has been there. When I was young, I would go out with friends and whichever girl was in my life at the time. Times may have been tough, relationships may have been strained, the future may have been uncertain, but for that night we were going to “set the world on fire.”

Before the inevitable burnout, we would shine bright. We would embrace each other and embrace the moment. But, we all knew that reality would set back in. And, plenty of times, I wondered, “so will someone come and carry me home tonight?”

I found out the answer one night. I overdid it. I was wrecked. It was a struggle to get from the car to the front door of my buddy’s house. I jokingly told my friends and my girlfriend that I would just lie down in the road to rest for a while. It really wasn't that funny. In one of the saddest moments of my life, I lay down in a neighborhood street and waited for whatever might come next. Eventually, someone did come and carry me home. But, not before I felt profoundly lonely and isolated.

I used to tell this story and laugh about it. Later, I’d tell the story and feel embarrassed. Now, I tell the story and realize that it is just one of many moments that God used to bring me into relationship with Jesus. It may sound like a cliché, I-came-to-Jesus-after-hitting-rock-bottom story. But, I didn't come to Jesus that night. I would live a fun, “We Are Young” life for several more years. I wanted to enjoy life, experience glory and know that I was loved. I chased those things in any and every way I could.  But, I kept finding myself in the same pattern. I might shine bright for a moment, but the crash was inevitable.

As I lay in that street, Jesus started whispering to me. I can remember having a sense that I was not created to burn bright and flame out. I knew I wasn't made to feel so unknown, unloved and misunderstood. I was certain that life was supposed to be more than a temporary high followed by a terrifying low. I felt like I was meant to belong to someone who wouldn't leave me alone when I was at my lowest point.

Jesus started opening my eyes. There was nothing wrong with desiring the good things that I did. We are created to enjoy this world, to delight in glorious things and to love and be loved by God. I was sure I wanted those first two things. And, I knew I wanted to be loved. But, I wasn’t sure I wanted God in the picture.

As I repeated the pattern of burning bright and falling down, Jesus came to show me what it would be like to truly be carried home. Jesus convinced me that I’m not alone. I’m not unknown, unloved or misunderstood. He came to help me see that he moves his people into the enjoyment, delight and glory that we all long for.

Why would a pastor like this song? Because you and I are made to be young. We are made to set the world on fire and burn brighter than the sun. The Bible tells us that we are made to be like God. Made to “be fruitful and multiply.” Made to bear God’s image and to shine his glory brightly in this world. Shining not for a moment or for just one night, but shining in the light of his glory forever. Unfortunately, something went wrong...we want the enjoyment, the glory and the love...but maybe not God.

Sin invaded God’s good creation bringing darkness where there was once light. Sin creates separation between imperfect people and a perfect God. Sin tells us that we don’t need God, and that we’re better off without him. So, we live on our terms and face the threat of being isolated and alone. We want to regain the glory in which we were created. We want to embrace and enjoy life. We want to know that someone will love us enough to lift us up when we’re at our lowest point. But who? And how?

Before Jesus carries us home, he had to carry sin, shame, and sorrow to a cross. Sin is a destructive force that leaves desperate people lying in the middle of a street. Jesus came to wipe away the sin that invades our lives and brings brokenness into our reality. Jesus carried our burdens to that cross and then rose from the dead to carry his people into the glorious presence of God.

“We Are Young” is more than a party anthem. It’s a song about the human experience. We can hear the cry of the soul and see our need for God’s grace in this song. Our souls long to embrace life and experience delight because we were created for glory. But, we've all fallen down. We need the grace of God to lift us up.

When you feel like falling down, call on Jesus to carry you home to a place where you can shine bright in the light of God’s glory.

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 New Creation Presbyterian Church is located at 105 Creekside Office Drive, off West Meyer Road, just west of Wentzville Parkway. Sunday worship services are held at 10 a.m. A Nursery and Children's Church are available.