Dr. Charles W. Ferguson

As a 35 year old man, I have the distinction of being apart of the social media generation. My generation has sparked the revolution to generate more information-true or false-in split second, real time precision than any other generation. In 2017, we can truly say that the nature of being connected has reached epic proportions. Through my interactions in social media, I have come to one major conclusion. It is difficult to take many people seriously.

Why in the world would you say something like that?!?

I am compelled to say that many people have been given the gift of a public platform. With this gift, they have taken it and turn it into a stage to parade their bias, hatred, and self-loathing. A medium that has demonstrated the great potential to bring people together for the sake of causes that address the core, moral values that most individuals share has become the marketplace for people to expose their ignorance.

Through fake news, misinformed people, declining social graces, I find it almost impossible for people to engage in real dialogue about solutions to the constant problems of this society. What I have read on Facebook over the past week has made me sick to my stomach.

I have watched as the transition of power has played out in our nation. Barack H. Obama has become the former President of our republic. Donald J. Trump has assumed the office of President of the United States. In the midst of this change, people have demonstrated three major issues that have never gone away.

1. Hypocrisy is alive and well
2. Politics have become a god of this country
3. People can not see the massive agenda of God

Hypocrisy

Many people have taken the liberty to forget many experiences that have occurred throughout history in our nation. After the election, many people called for the unwavering support of an individual who has been documented to reject, criticize, and demean people of all corners of life. Many of the same people call for this unilateral wave of support did not offer the same commitment to our previous president. This example is what would be called textbook hypocrisy.

However, I submit to you that I am not surprised by the response. I am not surprised by the manner that people act out their hypocrisy. Social media has become the breeding ground for fostering that level of ignorance. I am also not surprised by the way that people cannot see the hypocrisy.

Think about it. Social media allows me to express my world view, see other world views, reject world views, and maintain my stance without having to engage in real conversations about the possibility that I might be incomplete in my thinking. Some people would say that is your right in real life any way. It is different when you have to look someone in the eye and tell them that his or her world view is wrong. It is a different story when the evidence confronts you, and you must produce “alternative facts”.

A Political God?

Many people who claim a relationship with God have demonstrated also how much they really hate God. It might be a strong claim, but go with me for a moment. When you love somebody, you do everything yo can to know who they are; what they are all about; how they function in the world; and what matters most to them. The strange thing that I have discovered is how many people have decided that God is most concerned about the political process of broken, sinful country.

Let’s get this stuff out of the way. One, the United States is not a Christian country. It is a nation that espouses the freedom for anyone to practice their faith tradition based on the premise of religious freedom. Two, quoting Biblical Scriptures does not make something acceptable to God. It just proves your ability to cognitively retain information. Three, politics will not save us. God is not small enough to limit to personal ideological platforms.

The audacity of many people to suggest that a person who has insulted individuals who are created in the Imago Dei is the representative of Jesus Christ is as despicable as me suggesting that Michael Jordan was worse than Christian Lattener. Think people. Jesus represented not only the way to salvation for all who would believe on Him, but He was the embodiment of God’s love toward the spiritually, economically, socially, and emotionally disenfranchised.

Jesus challenged the spirit of politics in the social and spiritual realm. Consider how he cleared the temple of money changers and critiqued the theological stance of the lackluster priests. Jesus looked at those who needed to experience God in the only way they know how, but they were being exiled from His presence because they did not meet economic or social requirements set by the religious right.

Jesus’ anger was justified because the purpose of the temple was being reduced to human benefit alone. God was not being honored. Engagement with God was not being pushed. What a sad state of affairs that people were being intentionally blocked from the presence of God because of personal preferences. Go figure.

Unfortunately, we live in a society that decided to adopt the same principles of the past and justify them as holy unto God when they are totally in opposition of His Will. By performing this action, we tell God that He is not necessary in the process of human affairs. We tell God that His ways are subject strictly to our whims. This thinking will not allow us to reach the promise that in store for all who love and truly follow the principles of the Word.

The Mission Is Larger Thank Our Perspective

I have watched as people have narrowed the mission of God to very narrow perspective. When people bring any form of injustice to the forefront, other individuals attempt to silence the deep concern of that group voicing their experience. I find it amazing that the same people who are concern about abortion do not care about the quality of lives for individuals who yet live. I am dumbfounded by people who believe that all is well in the world, but consider those who are the least of these as whining and complaining.

Ladies and gentlemen, Jesus explicitly said this in Matthew 25:31-41:

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ³⁷ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸ And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹ And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,^[a] you did it to me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

God is going to separate the sheep from the goats based on their ability to address the issues that God cares about most. Hmmmm….Check this out. The scripture does not give us the room to be sheep with goat tendencies. My relationship (key being relationship) with God dictates how I should conduct myself in the world. It governs how I embrace people from all corners of life. My encounter with God should soften my heart to see the challenges in the environment and provide relief and answers that reflect the love, grace, and mercy of God.

In order for that objective to be achieved, I must embody the totality of the mission of the Creator of all. As the created, I have no right to tell God how to do His job. I have no right to alter the mandates that Christ has brought forth. My only responsibility is to carry out the job that He has granted.

Ultimately, we must give an account for the work that we have performed to the purpose of God’s Kingdom. If we decide that the mission is based on our whims alone, we may have to answer for our inability to grow in relationship with God and learn the importance of compassion and love. We will be subject to the penalty of sin of denying our true allegiance to God because we believed our agenda was greater. My prayer is that people will take a step back and consider for a moment the implications for pumping out so much negativity into the atmosphere.

Recognize that people can only bear so much trouble without an answer for hope. People do not need to be abused any longer with an incomplete approach to life. It is time for compassion, love, and revolutionary change. Do not subject yourself to the trends of the day-division, strife, generational bigotry, etc. Be compelled by the genuine power of your relationship with God to be a catalyst of change. I even challenge you to engage people, including me, to begin the conversation about sustainable change, growth, and empowerment.

Power to all…..Strengthening all to struggle no more!

So I haven’t been in the blogosphere in a good while. Most of that time has been spent trying to adjust to the current condition of life. The world has become a place of diminish hope and faith. The world has become colder. The world feels like a foreign place. I know as a believer that Heaven is my home, and I am a pilgrim passing through. However, this world has become a place I don’t recognize. 

I grew up believing that if I performed well in the classroom, have good character, and demonstrate my faith in God that my life would turn out well. I was given a bill of goods that stated that good yields good without challenge. The truth is that the seeds that you sow eventually reap a harvest. Yet, the harvest is not without challenge during the growing process. It is the process that teaches us about the metal of our faith and belief in God. 

As we enter into 2017, it becomes necessary for us to consider how we will navigate through the process of life. We must consider that 2017 will be the time where we must travel through the waters of race relations, political unrest, spiritual disorder, and moral chaos. This upcoming year will be the moment that will decide whether people are going to continue in the pattern of settling for the status quo, 0r deciding to take a stand for what is right. 

People are looking to the new year hoping that it will yield so much better than 2016. The truth is we must bring something to the table in order to see the new year become something meaningful. My question for all of you is this: what are you willing to do? What process are you willing to endure to see the full manifestation of God working in your life? What people are you willing to dismiss in order to arrive at your God appointed destination? Are you willing to learn from your specific process? 

Let me encourage as many people as possible to take the journey leading into the new year. If you are concerned about the political and social climate of our world, go through the process of learning your place in the liberation of the maligned and disenfranchised. If you are struggling with your relationship with God, go through the process of learning what Word says. Call on the Holy Spirit to give you insight into all things. If you feel hopeless, go through the process of finding the hopeful. Whatever you must do in 2017, take the chance to grow and go through the process. Don’t give up. You will be better on the other side…..

Many people know by now that my family and I have moved from Springfield, IL back to our hometown, Columbus, OH. Initially when we announced the move, people were shocked, angry, disappointed, and sad. I cannot express enough how I felt every single emotion directed toward my family, good and bad. Shifting in another direction is not the easiest part of life.

If I am honest, I realize that many people will never understand how someone can be called of God to be in a place or perform a task and it may only be for a season. Some people shared with me their hopes and beliefs that my family will be blessed in the midst of this transition and beyond. I am forever grateful for the encouragement of those who recognize that the Kingdom of God is much bigger than one location.

In some cases, people have revealed aspects of themselves that have not yet been touched by the Spirit of God. I can say without any hesitation that all people are constantly undergoing a procession of redemption and wholeness. Nevertheless, all who are believers have been called of God to demonstrate love, people, and grace. It is in my quiet moments that I have come to one safe resolution. People do not understand the workings of God.

One of the most innocent yet challenging saying of people in the church is the following: “that’s my pastor”. Innocent from the mouths of some people because the phrase indicates love and endearment toward the vessel that God is using to bless His people. Challenging from a different perspective because it implies ownership, dominion, and control.

When God-ordained transition happens in life, the opportunity is presented to see how much faith and Jesus people really possess. When change happens, the “real you” comes out. Suddenly, the church moves from the pristine nature of the bride of Christ to the jilted lover. That attitude causes the world to assume or believe that faith in Christ must not have great stability.

Listen, everything in life is seasonal. The only aspect of our existence that is not seasonal is the mandate and manifestation of the Kingdom of God. Just because people leave does not mean that Jesus is dead. Just because people are propelled into new assignments does not mean that the calling of God is placed on pause. Just because I am venturing into a new direction does not suggest that I quit in my previous assignment. We all need to see things through God’s eyes.

Consider this. Moses and Joshua were told to lead the people of Israel through troubled, rising waters. However, each account had distinct differences. When Moses led the people they were just coming out of captivity and were being chased by their captors. As Joshua led the people, he was told to enter into the waters with the Ark of Covenant until the Lord divided the waters. Both were water experiences, but each one had a different mandate.

God has never functioned or moved according to our whims or commands. God is not one you and I can manipulate into fulfilling our own will. We are the clay to be shape into the image and likeness of God. We need to repent of the hell that we put people through to make ourselves feel better and consider that maybe God has a plan and purpose that is bigger than us.

In 35 years of living as of this upcoming Friday, I have never gone wrong trusting in the plan of God. The difficulty is overcoming the “me” factor in order to experience the promise of God in the stage of complete fulfillment. If my previous relationship would have worked out like I hope at one time, I would not have the wife and son I do today. If I would have received the job at Wells Fargo in 2005, I might not have pursed ministry with the passion that I have today.

Think about it. Many of the decision you have made in life when guided by God have produced major results. Bullets missed you because you followed God. Toxic relationships ended because you trusted God. Increase happened in your life because of your yes to Jesus.

So when you experience transition of any kind remember these few things:

1. Everyone is seasonal.
2. Don’t waste time worrying about when the season will end.
3. Enjoy all aspects of the season.
4. Gain useful tools and help to aid your transition.
5. Appreciate the season for what it means to your life.
6. Bless the season you had because it will be a blessing to others.
7. Care for the seeds from your previous season. If cared for, they will produce a harvest.

When change happens, will we feel something about it? Of course, you will. You have feelings and emotions. Nevertheless, God is always up to something. You may not be able to trace it. You may not be able to feel it right now. You may doubt the purpose for the change. Just remember, God wants your attention. When He gets it, you will gain what is truly in store for you.

Stay way up blessed…..