Watching folks come into a dealership just like this illustration day after day is hard to take. Yet any salesman with eyes to see can tell you that not a day goes by that they don’t see the chains of debt. People who owe $10,000 or $15,0000 even $20,000 more than their car is worth yet they come in every day asking for more… WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US? “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom”
Jesus mission, “to set the captives free, open the eyes of the blind” Isaiah 61 is so well illustrated in Charles Dickens Classic.
All to often we find the first link of the chains we have forged to hold us captive are found in “bitter root” agreements back in our past. Something happens that wounds us like Scrooge’s father leaving him at School during the Holiday’s and we make a vow or agreement with Satan himself that, “I don’t need anyone, I can make it fine on my own” and BA, BAM! Satan has us the first link of that chain is clamped on us. We have no idea how to deal with the wounding at that age no way to see the trap that has been set for our young hearts, but just as Scrooge clearly vowed to go it alone I too found myself here.
Note the amazing light on the front of this Tucker, also found coming from the head of the first, “Ghost of Christmas Past”. Jesus knows when and where you forged the chains that are now binding you. This year Jesus and I had an amazing time searching around with this light to find my childhood vows.
Ask Jesus and the Holy Ghost to search those old wounds looking for them. When you brake the first link the whole chain falls off. Yes, the light of Jesus will not only show you, but help you forgive and receive forgiveness. He paid it ALL for you to break that chain. A huge part of our sanctification is found in this deep intimacy with Jesus, The Father and the Holy Ghost. They know all about it, and that car debt, or any addiction is an attempt to replace God comfort with false comforters. God wants to open your eyes to see your own chain, but often he has to scare the dickens out of you.
Now that God has opened our eyes He delights in our seeing His rich, rich blessings. He has every intention in you eating at his table for eternity and what a table. Once again this Ghost of Christmas present has a light a torch and with it comes the “incense sprinkles”. “He is the Light of the World and that Light is the Life of men.” Note how this spirit takes Scrooge around to see the fellowship of families of Churches, he even takes him out to sea on ships and at a light house. The very fellowship Scrooge sees is the Life we long for. It won’t come in a new car but a new brother or our families free from the stress of debt. The joy of sharing our lives is a sweet sweet aroma.
Scrooge’s nephew Freddy knew it and showed amazing grace to his uncle. In so doing Scrooge got another opportunity to get down wind of himself and this was not the aroma of sweet incense. He got a chance to get down wind of himself at Bob Cratchet’s table as well. This Ghost of Christmas Present took several opportunities to play back Scrooge’s own words on him and with his eyes open he could see himself so much more clearly and see the contrast with Godly fellowship. Car debt enslaves us to a much lower passion and getting down wind of it smells pretty bad.
Talk about Scaring the Dickens out of us. I so love what Dickens did here. Using the grim reaper to illustrate what Scrooge is going to reap if he continues to sow the bad seeds he is sowing. What a Christmas gift it would be to see all the seeds we are currently sowing and the harvest they will produce.
Once again if we continue to sow to our addictions our idols and compulsions we too will reap what this black, heartless, empty existence.
Scrooge had a change of heart it came from a good healthy fear of the Lord, along with the breaking of chains seeing and smelling God’s goodness as opposed to his odor. Then came the understanding that he could sow good seed…. So this year I plan on spending more time asking Jesus to light up my life show me my bitter root agreements. I want to sit at His table as much as I can with brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers enjoying the sweet smell of heaven. Asking God to help me see the good seeds to sow and where to sow them that I may reap the fruits of the Spirit… Oh and as Tiny Tim always says…”God bless us Everyone”.
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