Least Learns

August 2025. Do you remember how tense it was? I look back and think, “Thank God we made is through that one!”  I have seen significant moments in my 51 years but the day that Cracker Barrell’s CEO announced that she was simplifying the restaurant’s logo by removing the Ole’ timer in the rocking chair certainly moved to the top of the list. Outrage erupted throughout social media as faithful “Cracker Barrellers” insisted that Uncle Herschel not be removed. That old man who had been rocking in the chair for as long as anyone could remember had the voices of thousands all over the country standing up for his right to stay put. As if he were our collective uncle, we rallied together and in one voice demanded our beloved not be removed. And, hallelujah, our voice for the voiceless was heard. The CEO backed down and Uncle Herschel will keep on rocking next to his barrel for the foreseeable future.

Of course, you may also remember that same week of the Uncle Herschel controversy there was another incident that occurred. On August 27, 2025, a man with a gun walked in the Annunciation Catholic School and opened fire. Before he took his own life, two children, ages 8 and 10, were murdered and seventeen others were wounded. Something strange occurred at that moment in time. Internet algorithms provided calculations proving that more people expressed concern over losing the poorly drawn Uncle Herschel character on a restaurant logo than for two children whose families were mourning in Minneapolis.

Fast forward to February 8, 2026. It is Super Bowl Sunday. We all knew it was coming…it has happened for the last several years…it was time for the annual halftime show controversy. Except this year, a twist thickened the plot of this annual drama as Turning Point USA offered their own All-American/Christian halftime show. As my friend Chuck always reminds me, “The thing about opinions, Chad, is everyone has one.” Well, that sure did prove to be true. I almost felt bad for the ones who made millions that night chasing the pigskin on the field because I heard more about Bad Bunny and Kid Rock than I did about the game they played. Perhaps not since Uncle Hershel had two sides had more to defend and fight for than their pick for the half-time show. Back and forth we argued over which was the better show, the cleaner show, the more holy show. Certainly, decisions between heaven and hell were being made in this moment, the way we presented are arguments for our side.

But then my wife and a friend of ours named Leah, interrupted my focus on the all-important half-time controversy that was unfolding that Monday with a question about preparations for SOAP (Saving Our Adolescents from Prostitution) the KY Derby. Didn’t they know the Monday after the Super Bowl is to be reserved for the annual half-time show debate? Didn’t they know the stakes were even higher this year as we now had two half-time shows to fight about? Apparently not because their questions ensued. You see, for them and the other women who make up the only SOAP Chapter in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which by the way has a “F” in human trafficking resources, big events like the Super Bowl point to something that happens behind hype of the game, the merch and the half-time show, which makes more money every year than the Super Bowl in all its billions can even imagine—Human Trafficking. Yes, large events like the Super Bowl and the Kentucky Derby increase the demand for sex trafficking. My wife, Leah and their team dared to suggest through their actions that the fact that we raise our voices to defend the half-time show of our preference and do nothing for the boys and girls who were sold as slaves that weekend was offensive.

It reminded me of a sermon I heard the late Tony Campolo preach. I do not recall where I heard him, but I will never forget what he said, “There are people suffering and dying and going to hell and you, the Church, don’t even give a damn. And many of you will leave here today more upset that your preacher said, “Damn” in church than you are that people are suffering and dying and going to hell.” He might as well have slapped me in the face because there was something so jarring to my young faith that I never forgot it. His words became a source of perspective in a culture that demands we fight for Uncle Herschel while treating two children dying at school from a shooter as something not worth our time. His words became a source of perspective in a culture that demands we make our faith about fighting for the best half-time show and proving to the world why we are right, and they are wrong, rather than speaking up and doing something for the victims of human trafficking.

Finally, that reminded me that the cussing preacher was simply taking up the banner of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the face of we the religious who are so easily distracted by rocking uncles and singing bunnies:

“Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. ² Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. ³ Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”

⁴ Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.

⁵ He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. ⁶ Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.” Mark 3:1-6.

Would you mind reading verse 6 again? That was the response of those who memorized the first five books of the Bible and were to help God’s people not miss the coming messiah? They were so hung up on making sure everyone, including Jesus, stayed on brand and were faithfully singing their sabbath law songs that they would rather kill Jesus than have a man be healed by Jesus. Our problem with fighting over what does not matter and not fighting for who does is nothing new to the 21st century. However, I don’t know about it, but considering the religious’s response, that might be a reflection of us, the religious, now. Verse 6 scares me to death. When I give more of myself to fight for or against the likes of Uncle Hershel and Bad Bunny am I joining the religious leaders of old in plotting to kill Jesus?

Oh, by the way, if you’d like to do something for the victims of human trafficking, let me know, our SOAP team would love to have you join us in Louisville, KY, on April 18.