From 1960-1968, the Andy Griffith show dominated television ratings and offered America a chance to escape to a kinder, gentler world. For a half-hour, the stress of nightly headlines took a back seat to the southern charm and wit of a small-town sheriff and his likeable but bumbling deputy. Andy Griffith and Don Knotts brought laughter to the homes of a nation struggling to come to grips with an unpopular war, the assassination of a President, and rising racial tensions in the South. The town of Mayberry served as a welcome oasis, a refuge of sorts. Though the comedy’s stars portrayed law enforcement officers, shows rarely focused on crime. Why? Because folks in Mayberry attended church regularly and lived by the Golden Rule.

Though not marketed as a Christian show, Mayberry based its principles of life upon teachings found in the Bible. In several episodes, viewers observe Mayberrians strolling to church, singing hymns in worship, or commenting on the Reverend’s sermons. Listening to the “good book” prompted the citizens of Mayberry to live and act accordingly.

Andy and Barney modeled to the community self-less acts of service. Sometimes these “acts” fell under the umbrella of sworn duties of the sheriff’s department. On one popular episode, Andy and Barney chaperone a goat stuffed with dynamite outside of the city limits. While citizens of Mayberry scurried for safety and hunkered down in their homes, these heroic police officers exhibited sacrificial love for the town and its people. Unfortunately for some, the word “sacrifice” leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Sacrifice entails putting others first, something foreign in a “me-centered” generation. Many in our society clamor for the “freebies” to make their lives better, ignoring the opportunity to serve others.

On many occasions, the show focuses on the importance of honesty. In one such episode, while giving a sales pitch about his bike, Opie conveniently forgets to mention some of the bicycle’s pitfalls. His father, Andy, intervenes and saves an unsuspecting victim. Later, when Andy’s house goes on the market, Opie points out structural faults of the home to prospective buyers, reminding Andy that honest dealings matter in all situations. Today, it seems that our Country’s philosophy barrels down the slippery slope of moral relativism. Our society scoffs at the idea of absolute truth, but embracing biblical truth at all costs would radically change our Country forever

If towns across America adopted the moral lessons of the Andy Griffith show, we would see family units staying together, crime rates decrease, and churches packed on Sundays. A return to Mayberry ideals starts with a change of heart. Watching Andy and Barney’s antics timelessly tickles the funny bone, but a change of heart commences when taking the advice of a song sung at Charlene Darling’s mountain wedding. A change of heart comes by “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”