Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
One of my favorite Christmas shows as a child was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Nothing quite like the husky, sardonic voice of the narrator, Boris Karloff. It wasn’t until I’d read the Dr. Seuss classic aloud to the kids when they were young that I discovered the powerful, Biblical truth tucked in this silly, secular children’s story.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
Given that scripture, I’d change Seuss’s title:
How the Grinch Made a Bold and Daring Attempt to Steal Christmas but Failed Miserably Because He Knew Not the Heart of the Whos.
Seems more fitting.
The Grinch, who hated Christmas, his sunken chest containing a heart two sizes too small, set out to steal Christmas from his unassuming neighbors, the Whos who lived down below in Who-ville. Unbeknownst to the Whos, their cheery attitude angered the freakish-looking, maniacal prince of darkness.
From three thousand feet up the side of Mt. Crumpit, having swiped all the Whos belongings, the Grinch waited with great anticipation for Boo Hoos from the Whos. What he heard, instead, was singing, a Divine melody born out of a heart of gratitude for that which can’t be purchased in a store.
Those little Who minds were set on things above.
With that, the Grinch’s heart, tiny as it was, began to stir…
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
And in Who-ville they say, the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day!
When love or the Spirit of God strikes a man he is transformed. O. Chambers.
I wonder…
~In a world filled with Grinches, are any of them bothered by my singing despite grim or troubling circumstances?
~Does the outwardly ‘hopeless and bleak’ cause me to turn to my fellow Whos, grasp their Who hands in prayer as we incline our hearts to the Lord?
~Does the way I conduct my life tick off any particular Grinches glaring at me from up above?
If not, it should.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
My response to said Grinches should be in keeping with the Whos who acted in like manner to Jesus Himself Whose kindness despite — no, because of — my sinful choices, led me to repentance. Romans 2:4
Had the Whos, instead, fired righteous, angry insults up the mount, gathered an army of Who men and boys with Who-weapons and sought the blood of the old mis-guided
Grinch, why I’d not have the story I love so much today.
The Whos had their minds set on things above.
Heart-struck by the unconditional love of God exemplified by the Whos, the Grinch was transformed. Even given the place of honor at the head of the Who table to carve their roast beast (which, in the TV show, gets no smaller each time he slices it :)).
Such a sweet happily ever after.
Yes, the Whos had it right.
Do I? Do you?
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