Talkin’ Turkey

Throughout the summer and fall, we’ve had a group of wild turkeys near our house. They forage in our yard, garden spot, and the horse pastures. When we get too close, they hustle away, “talkin’ turkey” as the flee.

Talkin’ Turkey

In my neck of the woods, “talkin’ turkey” means to get down to the serious business:

• No more fooling around in idle chatter.
• Stop wasting time by procrastinating or avoiding focus on the problem or task.
• Get to the heart of the issue in order to solve the problem.

Now I cannot pretend to know what the turkeys discuss as they scoot away from us. But their immediate problem, when they spy us, is to get to safety. Don’t dilly-dally–run for the woods.

Serious Talkin’ Turkey

Turkeys, especially this time of year, may discover their time is limited. It’s hunting season for wild turkeys and domestic turkeys face their greatest danger–Thanksgiving Dinner.

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

But what about people–what’s our most serious business of “talkin’ turkey?”

“The salvation of a single soul is more important than the production or preservation of all the epics and tragedies in the world.” C.S. Lewis

What is salvation?

In general, salvation refers to when we are saved or rescued from something, but if we delve deeper, we learn more.

Salvation–from the Biblical standpoint is:*

• Rescue from sin and death
• Renewing of the spirit
• Restoration of a right relationship with God

For Christians, salvation is the deepest aspect of our relationship with Jesus. Scripture provides us with the source of salvation and shows us the pathway to receive it.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

Our Father loved us so much that He sent Jesus to provide the gift of salvation to all who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior. Through Jesus we are saved and rescued from our sins. He tells us how to receive the gift:

“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Serious Talk

Like the turkeys with their serious aim to escape from the humans and seek safety, our most serious talk is when we recognize we are sinners, accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and receive the gift of salvation through the love of Christ. And all we need to do is believe in the promise of salvation, accept the gift, and love Jesus with heart, mind and body.

And that is a serious decision indeed.

Wishing you a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving–and a prayer to be thankful for God’s great gift of love.

*Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.. (2003). Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, p. 1434