Not Suitable For Children
Before you read this article, I believe it is important to provide a word of caution. This article may not be appropriate for smaller children or faint of heart (so you may want to ask the small children to leave the room while I try to figure out what “faint of heart” means).
Now this probably has perked up your interest. As adults, there seems to be an attraction to themes that are not appropriate for small children. To carry this further, today’s topic is about the “S” word.
Hmmm…
Now I probably have your full attention, and you are secretly hoping this isn’t some trick to get you to read this article. What would I have to gain by that? Reader support? But if it is a trick, wouldn’t I run the risk of you sending a letter of complaint?
The truth is, today’s topic is Santa. I know what you’re thinking: why would I want to write an article about Santa Claus in the middle of January – Christmas is over? That letter of complaint may not be too far off, huh?
I am not trying to persuade you to believe or disbelieve in Santa Claus, nor am I going to give you any indication as to where I stand on the issue (and hopefully, this article will not knock me off his list for next Christmas). Let me Dr. Phil you through this: What I am trying to do is for just one moment, get you to hypothetically consider he does exist and how he might feel about your relationship with him.
Your relationship with Santa Claus most likely started as an innocent child. As you grew, you sent him letters. The general format of the letter was, “Dear Santa; I have been good all year. Give me some toys.” As a child, your innocence was answered and the toys magically appeared. When you grew older, capable of having and establishing a friendship, the letters probably remained the same yet went unanswered. As your letters went unanswered, you had a choice to make: face rejection from Santa Claus or refuse to believe in him.
Now that you have considered your relationship with Santa Claus, let’s consider your relationship with God. I have found through personal experience how God answers the prayers of little children. There is something special about a small child’s prayer God honors – perhaps the child’s innocence or their pure belief is pleasing to Him.
As we grow older, we begin to perceive our prayers are not always answered. This may be a timing issue, as we always want the prayers to be answered immediately. Or… perhaps we are only offering God a “Santa Claus Prayer”, such as, “Dear God; I have been good and I deserve this prayer to be answered.” There is no relationship building and a lack of personal prayer with Him. As our prayers go unanswered, we seem to have a choice to make: face rejection from God or refuse to believe in Him.
Fortunately, the Lord does not reject us when we go to Him with a pure heart. We find this in Luke 15:4-7, where Jesus teaches: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it… …I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
The Lord does not reject us, but He does call us to give more than just a “Santa Claus Prayer”. A “Santa Claus Prayer” is nothing more than a gimme list – we are not conversing with Him, we are not building a relationship, we do not know Him, and we are not being obedient. He calls us into a relationship with Him, to know Him, and to obey His commandments in our lives, not send Him gimme lists.
I am grateful, as a sheep who is frequently lost, He continues to find me. I can go to Him. I am not rejected, though I deserve to be.
When we converse with God through prayer, establish a relationship with Him, and are obedient, the Lord is faithful to credit us with righteousness. And what does the Bible tell us about the prayer of a righteous man?
James 5:16, “ …The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
Still thinking about that letter of complaint? Pray about it.
Glenn Sasscer
www.glennsasscer.com
