“Let me be clear: this is not a golden calf. . .” Those words were posted by Pastor Mark Burns on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) shortly after he had prayed a blessing over the twenty-two-foot-high statue of Donald Trump.

Technically, Burns is correct. The statue recently erected on the grounds of the Trump National Doral Miami golf course (that’s a mouthful) isn’t actually gold. It’s a bronze statue covered with gold leaf. And it most certainly isn’t a calf, which, for those not raised on a farm, is a baby cow. But other than that, to paraphrase Shakespeare: The preacher doth protest too much, methinks.

I don’t think the gold-plated statue is the issue, and I don’t think praying is the issue, but when a group gathers in front of a gold-plated statue to pray, you have to think they skipped Exodus 20 in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Church services. Not to mention the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Or at least Rack, Shack and Benny from VeggieTales.

Because if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck. . . it might just be a golden calf.

Have a great week, and remember: to see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.