I was busy doing odds and ends around the house one evening a few weeks ago while the holiday version of the Deal or No Deal game show was on TV. I would stop and watch snippets between tasks, and was so touched by the story of one contestant. He and his brother had been adopted as young boys by his brother’s third grade teacher after a long season in foster care. Mother, brother, and the contestant’s wife were all there to support him on the game show.
As the game progressed, the contestant became fully convinced that his case held $750,000. At times, I held my own breath as he passed up great offers to test his luck and open just one more case. The excitement and anticipation in the audience had built with each case opened, and soon the mantra had become “just believe.” Even the host made a comment about being Jewish, but that he was starting to believe in Christmas himself. With each case opened, the excitement would increase because the game was going wonderfully for the contestant. The last offer by the bank with just two cases left in the game was over $300,000. I thought that the contestant would surely accept such an incredible offer, especially since that is what his family advised him to do. But to my surprise, the contestant said, “No deal” and kept the “just believe” hype going. Sadly, his case held only $5, not the $750,000 that he had believed. I was crushed for him. He could have had over a quarter of a million dollars in exchange for his $5 case!
The next morning, I thought more about the phrase “just believe” as it was portrayed during this game show episode. The contestant was determined to believe in something that was complete chance. It was a game. There were no guarantees. No one was backing a promise that if he believed, then he would receive the $750,000…no matter how many times he confessed belief in it.
This got me to thinking about things in which we may erroneously place our belief. Like this contestant, maybe some believe in something false…something that we have no reason to believe is real or true. Maybe some believe primarily in their own abilities and talents. Or maybe some believe strongest in matters of success or money. I’ve known some Christians who believed they know exactly what God will do in a situation and they hold on to that belief no matter. The Bible has definitely taught me that God’s ways are not my ways and that He is creative, unique, masterful, and sovereign in handling the situations of our lives.
The more I pondered the “just believe” phrase, I realized that our belief in God and His Word is the only thing that IS valid and true in this life. Every success, purpose, relationship, and life event is rooted in Him. Without an utmost, primary belief in Him, no other is sustainable. Many of us know the following Scripture that substantiates this point: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) One day for us all, this life will be no more. According to God’s Word, if our trust is not completely in Him, then like the game show, we will realize that our belief has been false and that all is lost.
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Blog by Michelle Simmons
Desire Street Accounting/Office Manager
Photo by Forrest Cavale on Unsplash.com
