As young boys, my parents made sure my two brothers and I had new Easter outfits each year – complete with a child-sized “Indiana Jones-type” fedora! I think the Indiana Jones hat is still a cool look. However, it’s probably only cool if Harrison Ford wears it. My point: times change.
We live in a culture hyper-concerned about trends. As 2025 opened, Anne Bahr Thompson suggested Seven Trends that will shape this year. Cultural influencer Jeetendr Sehdev, offered Five Bold Trends That Will Redefine Your New Year Ahead. Victoria Gerstman, a cultural insight specialist, provided Six Cultural Shifts Every Communicator Must Know. The overarching message: pay attention to the trends! Times are changing!
Cultural change has accelerated. Clothing and music fads cycle more like a merry-go-round instead of shifting on a decade cycle connected to social angst. The need for a valid “social reference points” has suffered obsolescence. Now much of the western world “dances” a frenzied social “dance” at an ever-increasing pace – anticipating the world ending with either a cataclysmic climate catastrophe or a terrorist-induced nuclear winter.
When a culture lives on whims and trends, nihilism follows close behind and Romans, chapter one manifests unabated. This need not describe us. Someone recently said, “I don’t fear failing. I fear succeeding at something that doesn’t matter!” As those with educational roots sunk deep in the soil of a Springfield AG school, how will we avoid the same sad fate as our pre-Christian friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors so consumed with the avalanche of change? How will we remain on-point in a rapidly shifting culture? Live confident about that which does not change. Hebrews 12: 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Aging, and the temptation toward sedentary comfort, will not excuse passivity. The Word directs us to “make the most of every opportunity.” Yes –that great poet Bob Dylan had it right: “Times, they are a-Changin’.” However, our King, our calling, our Spirit-given mandate to live our faith “out-loud” has not changed.
Bible majors, business, education, music, art, law and medicine majors, keep holding tight to the unchanging character of the resurrected Jesus. Let’s keep building our lives on the Rock! Then when all transient anchors have given way, we will remain standing firm on our unchanging, ever relevant Rock!
My wife and I will gladly pray for you. Just send an email to [email protected]
Honored to serve Him and you,
Dr. Terry L. Yancey, EU Alumni Pastor