On September 22, 1977, the classic hit TV show Happy Days kicked off its fifth season. The season premier had the cast of characters in Los Angeles, California. And before it was over, Fonzie was on water skis wearing his leather jacket and swim trunks in order to jump a confined shark. Although the show remained on television for another five years, many people believe that moment marked the beginning of the end.
Now “jumping the shark” is used to describe the moment a television show, an organization, or even a brand losses its inspiration and abandons the core values that made it so successful.
It’s seems when it comes to Thanksgiving we have “jumped the turkey.” Stores opened early. People who never read a newspaper, bought them like hotcakes just for the advertisements. Families who once spent time around the dining room table gathered in mall food courts.
Our American tradition of Thanksgiving started in 1621. Those first settlers left everything in Europe and many lost family members on the way to the New World. And there were no potatoes and no hot rolls at that first Thanksgiving meal. They didn’t have much. But they gave thanks.
President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863. That was a tough time for our nation. We were divided and at war with each other. The future was uncertain. And loss was more common than gain, but the nation stopped to give thanks.
It was in scarcity that our forefathers understood the value of thanksgiving. They were fighting for a better life, but their lack and their difficulty produced an attitude of gratitude.
But that is history. It seems we have “jumped the turkey.” Here are at least three ways how:
We jumped the turkey when we began living for small things.
There was a time men and women would give their lives for great causes. Ideals like liberty demanded our sacrifice. Calling was not just reserved for the clergy. The next generation was more important than the present. Now we are consumed by trivial things that fade with the next news cycle.
We jumped the turkey when we viewed success as an entitlement.
Love of neighbors says the wealthy should look out for the less fortunate. But there was a day we appreciated help without expecting it…or demanding it. There was a day that we worked hard and long, and then accepted that even that hard work might not make us as wealthy as the next guy. But now our greed for more and jealousy of others are woven into the fabric of our culture.
We jumped the turkey when we grew out of God.
Our success and sophistication led us to a false sense of independence. Weather disasters, financial meltdowns, genocide, perpetual wars, and family disintegration have all failed to get our attention. In stubborn self-reliance, we remain convinced we are in charge.
Just as silly and out of character as Fonzie looked on water skis, we too are trading our core values for an embarrassing gimmickry that undermines our future.
So let’s cut it out. Jesus’ go-to man Peter said,
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. Acts 3:19-20 (NLT)
And the problem is not just in the culture, but also in the church. Jesus said,
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. Revelation 2:4-5 (NLT)
So let us return and do the things we did at first so that God could use us to reflect His glory in this generation.
Feel free to share other ways we have “jumped the turkey.” Click the “Comment” button below.