Just How Good Do I Have to Be?
I find a little residue of Christmas lingering these cold, snowy days, so let’s share some thoughts from a deep, profound source – the daily comics! Starting the day with coffee and the paper is part of my morning routine, and as I was reading, I came to the one-panel “Dennis the Menace.” The mischievous little boy was sitting on Santa’s lap, and the line under the picture was, “So just how good do I hafta be to get the stuff I want?” Wow, nothing like getting right to the point, Dennis! There was no beating around the bush, no hemming and hawing, no finding a subtle, diplomatic way to find out the specific requirements that must be met in order to obtain the desired items.
Well, after reading the cartoon, laughing, and finishing up, I stopped and thought, “Thank you, Dennis, for ‘getting it in one’!” It’s likely that many Christians, if they were as blunt and straightforward as a 5-or-6-year-old, have that question in the deepest recesses of their hearts and minds. Checking the boxes, filling in the blanks, and meeting the minimum requirements (or being only as good as we “hafta” be) really isn’t living a life pleasing to God and following the teachings of our Lord. And just what is the stuff we want? Is it a life of ease and comfort, filled with possessions and prestige?
How about we consider this from another angle, and reword this question? Remember, we have already been given more than we could ever earn. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
So the question becomes not what do we have to do, but what do we get to do. This opens up possibilities that are essentially endless. With the power of the Holy Spirit providing strength and ability, we get to share the Good News with all people, be the ones who do God’s work in the world, and be in relationship with our Lord.
And, really, isn’t this the “stuff we want”? We are so blessed to have opportunities throughout our lives and in so many ways. We can’t really know when or if we’ve made a difference in someone’s life, just because our presence and maybe only a few caring words brought them reassurance, comfort, or the knowledge that they are not alone. But we help, we share, we reach out, because we have an amazing gift from our generous Heavenly Father.
As God’s called people, we also have God’s Word, providing us with guidance and inspiration, as we get to follow our Lord’s teachings and example, bringing his light and love to all people.
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers