For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:10 NLT
The 1947 Christmas film classic Miracle on 34th Street contains many great quotes and scenes. The story begins with Doris Walker needing to replace a drunk Santa for the Macy's day parade(enter Kris Kringle.) Doris is skeptical about many things, particularly about Santa, and doesn'tMacy's want her daughter, Susie, to believe in such foolishness. But, thanks to their neighbor Fred and Kris, Susie and Doris eventually accept Santa is real. In the final scene, Doris and Fred are driving back from a Christmas party with Susie in the backseat muttering, "I believe," not so convincingly. Then, they go by the house Susie had secretly been wishing for, a secret shared only with Kris. At this point, Susie exclaims in full belief, "Mr. Kringle is Santa Claus."
I am using this example not to equate God with Santa Claus but as an example of faith. Like Susie, there we've had times of doubt and disbelief. While we secretly hoped for a loving and compassionate God, we weren't sure, and if there is, how could he love us? The world is like Doris, telling us it's all foolishness. The world would have us think a big bang created the earth and we are nothing more than something that crawled from the gunk onto dry land. Which sounds more foolish?
However, something happened one day, moving us from unbelief to belief. It probably wasn't driving by the house we'd secretly been wishing for, but it was something meaningful to us. Whatever that thing was, we experienced deliverance and a change of heart in Christ. We no longer mutter, "I believe," but become thoroughly convinced.
That change, though remarkable, is not enough. We need to believe fully in our hearts and joyously share what Jesus has done for us. Filled with the Holy Spirit, we become Christ's witnesses to the doubting and unbelieving world. Our words and actions become evidence of our salvation and transformation.
Father, thank you for leading us from doubt and disbelief into acceptance. We recall where we were and how we were before. We remember how you answered our prayers and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to share our stories or deliverance with others unabashedly. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Miracle on 34th Street (clip)
