Jimbo's Jots

This past week was the national election. Over the past year, we have seen the ads, received the texts, and the spam calls. We all, I believe, can breathe a sigh of relief over this not happening for another two years when the next cycle of big elections will take place.

I recently heard a presentation by friend and wonderful teacher, Rubel Shelly, Teaching Minister at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ. Rubel has been a student’s teacher for many years. His presentation, Being a Christian in an Election Year, was given in the last few months. You can follow this link to watch it: (https://www.harpethhills.org/episode/on-being-christian-in-an-election-year/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGZzcRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdgijEBzjvqqcmw023npC7yWIxxGtuLdOSJc8gRDReVP5KXKGr7_TttQYw_aem_F2U_gBnyU045L_nXc1wpjg).

One thing he does in this segment is to tell the story of Chicken Little, not the Disney version. But in the original story, an aloof and confused Chicken Little is hit on the head by a falling acorn. Chicken Little runs through the town and convinces everyone the sky is falling.

The message of fear is one that has been used since the beginning of time. Go with me back to Genesis 3. The serpent uses the message of not being like God to generate fear in the woman first and then to the man. Remember, God said, “Let us make mankind in our image.” (Genesis 1:26, Jim’s translation) So they were already like God. But the serpent tested their trust, pushed their doubts.

These same messages are what were generated by all of the candidates regardless of their office they desired. In reality, they are messages that we hear every day, not just during an election year. We hear the voice of Chicken Little at our job, grocery store, sometimes in our home, and even our own self can introduce voices of fear and despair.

What you have heard recently and even Shelly points it out a couple of things:

• God is still at work and in control;
• Jesus is with us and has been given all authority in heaven and on earth;
• The Holy Spirit was given to us to dwell within us to remind us that God with us.

And maybe, if you will indulge, we are in the season of gratitude. It dawns on me that the election is done during a month of thanksgiving. For whatever reason, even in the week of tension and anxiety, where battle lines have been drawn, we are called to give thanks! We are once again having to be reminded that there are blessings shared with people that we may or may not align with politically, socially, emotionally, or educationally.

So maybe over the next couple of weeks, maybe we need to reach out purposefully to others to remind ourselves that the blessings we share can certainly overcome the fears that we feel. And maybe, just maybe, Chicken Little in us can breathe a breath of thanksgiving even if we feel that the sky is falling.

Be blessed this thanksgiving! Be a blessing to others with thanksgiving!!