December 8

Written by Bill Grandi on December 8th, 2021

I read a sad story this morning. Dewberry Baptist Church split in the 1800s over a chicken leg. The story goes that two men fought over the last drumstick at a church potluck.  One said God wanted him to have it; the other said God didn’t care, and he really wanted it. The battle got so heated one moved a couple kilometers down the road and started Dewberry Baptist Church #2. They have since settled their differences.

I’m going to go out on a limb here. I’m going to say that God could not have been pleased with that. I’m guessing He wept. Just like He does when a church splits over paint, the color of carpet, chairs or pews, style of music, or stained glass windows. Doctrine and ideology, Mission and Vision are different animals altogether. But a chicken leg? Seriously?

What we humans fight over! Totally nonsensical. Defies Jesus’ prayer in John 17 for sure. “May they be one, Father, as You and I are one.” I’m thinking God has to weep over our disregard of Jesus’ words: “By this will all men know you are my disciples if you love one another.”

There is always a good time to show love and unity, but what better time can there be than at Christmas? After all we do sing “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

“Father, help me to be a catalyst for unity and not a stumbling block for disunity. May I be one who brings people to the Source of unity, not push them away.”

 

4 Comments so far ↓

  1. Oh, the absurdity of people. It all boils down to me, myself, and I, which must be crucified with Christ – for Christ. For we will be known by our fruits.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      You are right Diane. That “self” must be crucified. Only then will people see Jesus in us. Thanks for the comment.

  2. I don’t think I’ve ever heard such a ridiculous story as this one is, Bill. Goodness, if we can’t agree to share a chicken leg, what does that say about our faith? May we all be unifiers, not dividers when it comes to the church.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I thought the same thing Martha. I found the story simply incredulous and silly. I certainly agree with you about being unifiers.