Social Ferment

 I learned a new term today, "the age of ferment."

Social ferment refers to a state of collective agitation and transformation within a society, often driven by motivated individuals seeking social, cultural, or political reform. This concept is closely related to the idea of social movements, which are characterized by collective action and the emergence of grievances that lead to organized efforts for change.

One thing I know is we are definitely living in an age of social ferment, but guess what God's Word doesn't change.

Politically, our nation is about as divided as it can get. Every day, we see and hear the unrest in our nation. When JD Vance came to Athens this week, protesters waved signs with Old Testament verses (trust me, you don't want to start that because there are plenty of verses to blow your ideology up).

Sadly, this mentality, of whatever I believe is true is truth, has spilled over into society and into the church (which should never have happened). These days, there are churches where I can’t help but wonder where their messages are coming from, because it surely isn’t from God. Their messages center around better living and forget the need for repentance.

So, my friend, what are we to do?

1. Be sure of your salvation (1 John 5:11-12). There is a lot of teaching out there that presents itself as Christian, but it is not in accordance with God's Word.

2. Stay grounded in the Bible, and when I say that, I mean study the Word, don't pick and choose verses to fit your beliefs (2 Timothy 2:15).

3. "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love." (Romans 13:8) I believe that as a society, we’ve lost sight of the true meaning of this and have adopted a more worldly interpretation. As Alice used to say, “Go into the ditch and help your neighbor, but don’t stay there.”

4. Pray. Take your political and social ideology before the throne, and if it isn't lining up with God's Word, the Holy Spirit will tell you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Friend, none of us is perfect, but if we are Christians, we are called to live out a Christ-centered worldview. The old saying holds true: before you act, ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?"

Thoughts

      So many thoughts flood my mind this morning. Thoughts of narratives, exegesis of scripture, loss, and pain. Now, how do all of these connect together? 

     I have no clue. 

     Here is what I know: 

          -People do not comment on writing that exegetes a scripture. Even though this is something dear to my heart and lacking in the church today.

          -People do want to hear your story - narratives. I Google-searched "why people want to hear your story," and there are over 2 million articles on the subject. 

          -I am in a season of life consumed with suffering (that at this point seems trivial in light of God's big plan). People don't want to hear about suffering - it can be depressing. Yet, how are others going to know that God specially meets us in the midst of our suffering?

     So, all these thoughts are rambling through my brain when Matt calls. A colleague of his committed suicide. A prominent figure in Atlanta, a very moral person. Her company must have shared in detail about her taking her own life. It is sad stuff.

     I have known several people who have committed suicide, and my heart is always sad that they just had no hope that things would get better. Thankfully, to the Christian, God's Word gives us the foundation of our hope - Jesus Christ.

     Perhaps Elizabeth Elliot says it best:

          "There have been some hard times in my life, of course, as there have been in yours, and I cannot say to you, that I know exactly what you are going through. But I can say I know the One who does. And I've come to see that through the deepest sufferings that God has shown me the deepest lessons. And if we'll trust Him for it, we can come through with unshakeable assurance that He is in charge. He has a loving purpose. And He can transform something terrible into something wonderful. Suffering is never for nothing."

     So, dear friend, you may think I share too much, you may get tired of scripture references that point you to God, but how are you going to know where to go "when your Jordan gets deep" unless someone tells you?