Have you heard of the classic fable, Chicken Little? đź“•
A few years ago, my children and I were reading an older version of Chicken Little called, Henny Penny, a story about a beloved hen who (after being hit on the head by a falling acorn) wrongly perceived that the sky was falling.
In her surprise and genuine concern, Henny Penny hurried off to alert the king of her homeland of this incredibly urgent emergency!
As Henny traveled, numerous friends of hers (a rooster, a duck, a swan, and a turkey) had noticed Henny Penny running excitedly through the woods. Each would precede to stop and inquire of her the purpose of her mission, and because they loved and trusted her, deceived to run with her to the king.
Sadly, they never made it their desired destination. Instead, the story ends with all 5 animals being tricked by a cunning fox, who deceptively promised them a shortcut to the King. But that shortcut only led them all to the fixes dem, where they all were dinner for the foxes’s family.
Why am I posted about this children’s tale?
1.) It occurred to me after reading this classic that we ALL can model Henny Penny’s emotional response, some days. Leaning too quickly upon our own understanding of a situation without praying about it will certainly set us upon the wrong path!
Henny had a real experience (an acorn crashing down on her head), which genuinely hurt, and therefore created a legitimate concern.
She ran towards the king with the authentic hope to help others! She wasn’t intending to mislead nor to harm…quite the opposite!
2.) Henny’s friends trusted and loved her. They ran with her, wanting to both support and encourage her. We all should want to support and encourage our friends! This is a good thing! However…(#3)
3.) But no one stopped to lovingly inquire if the sky was actually falling? Pausing to examine the evidence of a claim is far from unloving, nor is it cold and legalistic! As God’s word explains in 1 Corinthians 13, “Love rejoices with the truth!”
Instead, each of the 5 animals leaned upon their own understanding, running forward without slowing-down to check-out the facts.
Maybe they didn’t want to offend?
Maybe they were exceptionally tired (long day at work, too much on their plate, etc.) that day?
Maybe they were overly busy, and therefore moved-on to the next detail of the day without acknowledging God for help?
Take-away:
When I began researching the Enneagram a few years ago, it crossed my mind that maybe Henny Penny’s tale isn’t too far off from reality!
Maybe the combination of increased busyness and reduced scriptural guidance was the predominant manner in which the Enneagram entered into churches?
Perhaps it sneakily entered-in through *wonderful* brothers and sisters who earnestly wanted to share something “helpful,” but didn’t realize what they had actually had in their midst…a non-Christian tool making Christian claims.
Friends, we all can be Henny or her friends at various times in our lives.
If we don’t prayerfully navigate all that comes our way (especially after traumatic “acorn moments”), we will often run forward without seeking God for help…leading us down a potentially harmful path.
Today, let’s pause and intentionally forgive those who have been Henny Penny in our lives, as well as pray for them. And let’s stop to pray as often as possible, thanking God for the faithful wisdom He promises to provide each and every day (Ja 1:5).
God’s got this, sister!
📕“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
📕”Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” – Psalm 139:23-24
Resources:
ESV Study Bible: https://a.co/d/itdv0Nr
📕”Richard Rohr and the Enneagram Secret” by Don and Joy Veinot and Marcia Montenegro: https://a.co/d/77zgcp7
✏️”Is the Enneagram Legitimate for Spiritual Growth?” by Dr. Jay Medenwaldt: https://jaymedenwaldt.com/is-the-enneagram-legitimate-for-spiritual-growth/
Video playlist by Midwest Christian Outreach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbvC6-l-rO0&list=PLJdelscNsYMvLk7GRUjjY-6WVEX7H3Tpq&pp=
Hold Fast Apologetics 