Not Elmo

by Pam Chisholm on February 12

Last Monday on Twitter, Elmo — our little red furry friend from Sesame Street — posted a question that garnered thousands of answers. Below is a Facebook post from one of my close friends and a longtime member of our Network, Pamela Chisholm. Pam is a former pastor of Greenbrier Baptist Church in Arlington who retired with her husband to South Carolina. During the pandemic, Pam preached on Sundays to those who gathered on her front porch. Although they no longer meet, she now shares her thoughts on her Facebook page: Porch Preacher. — Katie Harding

________________

by Pam Chisholm

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

Last week, the question was asked by the puppet Elmo: “How is everybody doing?” Millions of people viewed the post and thousands responded, unburdening the terrors of their hearts, minds, souls, and bodies; whatever was wrong, they spoke to it. Elmo had to take a time-out from this tsunami of grievances.

Is it not amazing that people responded to a fabric figure, an inanimate object, with their woes, while at the same time and from the creation of mankind, God has been calling us to relationship with Himself, wherein we can give Him all we have for all He has? And yet…thousands of individuals posted a reply to a puppet.

But Elmo cannot help us. He cannot help you or me or our neighbor down the street. When we see or hear the pain of others, may we be bold enough to testify to the truth and actuality of the promises of God in Christ. The invitation from Jesus remains, “Come to me all who are burdened and I will…”

Let us encourage others to come — just as they are — and lay everything on Jesus and receive freedom and a new life in return. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Adapted with permission.