It’s been five years since our television screens were first graced with camouflage wardrobes, long burly beards and a family that captured the heart of America. For half a decade, the Robertson family has been setting the bar high for all things facial hair, and even higher for sharing the gospel across household screens.
Tonight marks the end of an era—not that of beards or turquoise cups, but rather the end of a television show that the Robertsons always hoped would bring glory to God.
The series finale of Duck Dynasty airs tonight on A&E, and Missy Robertson took to her blog to look back on all that God has done through their time on the network.
“It’s “Duck Dynasty: The Last Call” as A&E is titling this last and final season. Our first episode aired March 21, 2012, and our series finale will air this Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Five years! Where has the time gone? Surreal doesn’t even begin to describe the ride we’ve experienced. My head and heart are so full of hundreds of stories and emotions that I want to share with you, but summing up this chapter of our lives in one article is going to be extremely difficult.”
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The second of the four duck-wives explains that she’s in awe of the impact that their family has been able to make on millions of people.
“Please understand that this is not a way to brag on our achievements. Quite the contrary. I am writing to show just what God has done through a bunch of people who found each other, committed to their spouses, fought through numerous hardships, disappointments and battles and continue to hold on tight to our hope in Jesus Christ.”
Missy says that when the family was first approached by A&E in 2011, everyone was open to their offer except for her husband, Jase, and her father-in-law, Phil.
“Jase spoke up [saying], ’I’m just not sure how this is going to work. The reality television I know about thrives on drama, discord, fighting, lewd behavior and cursing. As Christians, we strive to live exactly the opposite.’”
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The family prayerfully decided to take a chance. They ended their family meeting the same way we’ve watched them end every episode of Duck Dynasty—in prayer.
“Phil prayed after our decision and asked God for wisdom as we moved forward. He also asked God to hold us accountable. I’ll never forget him saying, ‘Father, if you see that we are not using this opportunity for your glory, take it away.’”
Over the years, people have criticized the faith and “preaching” of the Robertson family. Some have claimed that it’s “all for show.” But I don’t know a lot of “showy Christians” who would submit to God in the way that Phil did through that prayer. I also don’t know a lot of people who, when given the opportunity to have their own television show, would ASK God to take it away from them if they lose sight of HIM as a result of it.
Missy references Ephesians 3:20-21, in which Paul writes, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen!”
She says that she’s been able to recite that verse for over 30 years, but the truth behind Paul’s words were never clear to her until Duck Dynasty. It’s awesome to see how God has done things through the Robertson family, but also IN them.