I was driving up highway 31 and turned on to Clinton. At the corner I saw a flash of red. It was a rooster. He was watching the cars rushing past. He was standing in front of a big sign as if he was protesting or maybe judging the parade of people. He looked haughty. My truck kept going but my mind stayed on the bird. After about 50 feet my foot caught up with my brain and it pressed on the brake. I shifted into reverse and slowly approached the rooster. The fowl ignored me as I took his picture. I looked around. He did not seem to be connected to any of the nearby homes. He had come a long distance.
I hastened on to my destination and when I was finished, headed back home. I reversed my route returning to the same corner. The red-headed alarm clock was busy scratching through the grass, eating bugs and shaking his comb at all those who were near. He fixed a glassy eye on me as I took a second picture.
Since we have just passed through the Easter story, I could not help but connect his appearance with the rooster in the story of Peter. The proclamation of faith shattered by crowing in the courtyard. The opportunity to stand with Jesus undone by fear and denial. This bird standing in the middle of town made me think about all the people that attended Easter services across our town. They got up, dressed in their Easter best and showed up for worship. They sang, gave, listened and responded. They left feeling closer to our risen Lord.
Then Monday arrived. Then the blows began to fall. The temptations began to rise. All the old patterns were just below the surface. I was thinking of an old sign I used to see, “Dear God, So far today, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped. I haven't lost my temper. I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or overindulgent. I'm very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed ... and from then on, I'm probably going to need a lot more help. Amen.”
Easter week was great. Our Lent Lunches were a success. It was so good to gather again with other churches. Our Stations of the Cross service had near record attendance. The cross decorating, fish fry and egg hunt was a blast. Easter morning services were blessed by amazing music, encouraging giving, lively fellowship and great attendance. All of the planning was rewarded.
This rooster reminded me that Easter Monday is where the real spiritual battle is fought - to take the message of the risen Christ and live it fully and proudly in our community. I listened as I drove away to see if he was going to crow for me. I didn't hear anything, but the radio was on and the AC was blasting. Let’s not get distracted. Our community needs us to stand up an speak up for Jesus.