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I am currently devouring a book on mentoring (it's been some time I've read a book this fast!) and this section came before all the other chapters. It is entitled "Please Mentor Me" - an open letter from the next generation. I am just wondering if this really reflects the heart of the youths today? And if this really is so... and if there really are life-giving mentors around, would the youths of today be willing to commit to an exciting journey of relating, learning... and multiplying?

Would you...?

It is an image indelibly etched into the American consciousness: four of the fastest men in the world poised at the start of the 4 x 100 relay at the 1988 Olympics. Comprised of a peerless group of atheletes, each a champion in his own right, it was inconceivable that the US team could lose. Yet as the final leg of the race approached, the unthinkable happened. The Americans dropped the baton. Quick as lightning it was over. The race and any hopes of a gold medal were lost. The crowd, electrified moments earlier, was struck mute. All the potential nullified because of a botched hand-off.

For many of us who fall in the age group known as the "Millennials" or "Generation Y" (born between 1984 and 2002), this disastrous scene aptly describes the sense of loss we often feel entering adulthood. we are different than the last two generations. Searching desperately for mentors to teach us, yet not knowing where to look, we are left feeling like runners stranded at the starting gate without a baton. Some may characterize us as lazy "slackers", or "self-absorbed idealists," but the truth is... ours is a digital generation - we stare at a screen much of our day. We lack direction and identity; we're often missing a sense of continuity with our heritage. We are fuzzy because so many options lie in front of us. Some of us have been the "trophies" of our parents but they never let us grow up. Most of us move home after college. It underscores our need for mature men and women to come alongside us, to share their wisdom, and hand us the torch of leadership for our generation.

In the ancient scriptures, we find that a young man, to be considered a true Jew, was required to trace his lineage to Abraham. They knew their family heritage. Yet many of us growing up today scarcely knew our own fathers. we appear over-confident - but it's often a front. We're going every direction. We lack guidance and focus. We're confident about our dreams, but don't have much experience. We need you. When we appear distrustful, it is because we have been disappointed so often. We hunger for your friendship. We thirst after someone with strong character.

We ask ourselves: "Where are the men to accept us with no strings attached, to let us serve alongside them - without fear of failure? Where are the men willing to share their mistakes so that we might not repeat them? where are the men willing to love us enough not to leave us the way we are?"

Will you take a risk with us, and allow us to serve alongside you in the fight for values we all face? Will you let us share with you our burning passions, while receiving the treasure of your experience? Bridging the gap is not as hard as you might think... all we're really asking for is some coaching to help us get past our childhood and enter the adult world. Our generation will lead this culture into the next century. We need you to help us find out place in a confusing world. Please don't leave us standing at the starting gate.

Signed,
Looking for Mentors