Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Psalms 61: 4

Duck and Cover

In 1951, with the new, very real threat of atomic bombs being launched at the United States, the Civil Defense released a PSA titled, "Duck and Cover." The PSA opens with a cartoon Bert the Turtle ducking into his shell to hide when a stick of dynamite is about to explode over his head. Real people come in next. When the atomic bomb warning sounds, school children duck under their desks, and a hapless family picnicking at the park grabs their picnic blanket sending paper plates flying, and huddles together beneath it. Duck and Cover. You can find the PSA on YouTube if you'd like to see it.

 But who needs atom bombs to destroy a nation? Harsh, negative insults and put-downs from friends and family members have the potential to destroy us and our country from within. Though it's entirely possible to state one's political views in positive terms without denigrating anyone, even people who claim Christ are relying on mockery and put-downs to express their views. From what I've seen lately on social media and have (sadly) experienced in my own life, proving oneself right about political views appears to be far more important than being kind to the people we claim to love and care for. It's almost as if people believe Ephesians chapter 4 doesn't apply during election season.

 ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4: 29 – 32).

But it does. It does.

Lately, more than ever, I've wished for a place to "duck and cover" from all the atomic words being hurled on the news and on social media. Prayer and reading the Word are wonderful places to seek cover. Listening to Christian music is another way I've covered myself with a blanket much more effective than the picnic blanket used by that poor, vulnerable 1950s family. Biblical kings turned to music for comfort and strength: Jehoshaphat, Saul, David, Solomon, and others. Even the morning stars sang together at creation, Scripture tells us. (Job 38: 7)

Music plays such an important role in our lives! The right song can cry right along with us, or lift us up out of our gloom and give us hope. In our current cacophonous times of pandemic and political pandemonium, harmony is hard to find. Following are a few of the songs that have helped to blanket me with harmony and hope.

"There Was Jesus" by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37wV6D49iEY

"No More Shackles" by Matty Mullins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuW19ycSEMw

"There Will Be a Day" by Jeremy Camp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPKyTY71iRM

Listen and be blessed. Turn it up! Drown out the world's loud, obnoxious noise for a while. Lord, cover us with your peace.

Daye Phillippo

November 2020