“Let’s Make A Deal”
In the 1960’s and 1970’s there was a show called “Let’s Make A Deal.” The premise was quite simple…Audience members would dress up in whatever crazy costume they thought would get them picked to be one of the people (“traders”) to “make a deal” with the host Monty Hall. In most cases, a trader would be offered something of value and given a choice of whether to keep it or exchange it for a different item. However, the “trader” didn’t know what they would be trading it for.
It could be something of greater value or a prize that is referred to as a “zonk,” an item purposely chosen to be of little or no value. For example, somebody may be given a nice watch, then have the choice to either keep the watch or trade it for what was behind door number one, door number two or door number three. Behind those doors could be anything from a new car to a jar of rubber bands. Sometimes Monty would sweeten the pot and add cash to the watch to make it more difficult to risk a trade. I actually thought the show was kind of silly but i still watched it simply because it was on T.V. and there was nothing else to watch.
The show really should have been renamed “Let’s Trick Another Foolish, Shameless, Greedy Person.” The intention of the show was to rip people off. And the people were willing to be ripped off simply because they were greedy. It was all done in fun and nobody got hurt. But it highlighted, to me, that many people think that there is something better than what they have and they are willing to risk losing what they have for the outside chance they might stumble upon the buried treasure.
The truth is that we are never quite satisfied with what we have in hand. We often think there is something more, something better, something worth risking behind that curtain. Even when what we have might be of value we are willing to take the chance that something even greater could be waiting for us. St. Paul wrote to the Philippians (4:11-13);
Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The ability to be content doesn’t prohibit us from wanting to get ahead and improve our lives. It doesn’t mean we can’t hope for a better future. But to be content is to be at peace, to be satisfied with what we have and where we are in life. And it is not simply positive thinking. It is through the realization that our contentment is not in things, possessions or people but in Christ alone. He is our contentment. I can be content in all things because I have the Trinity dancing within me; I have a living relationship with the living Creator; The Spirit fills me with His love and His power. I don’t need what is behind door number one, two or three…no matter how great it may seem. I do not need any more than I have because with Jesus I am content.
The song Christ Is Enough by Hillsong Worship echoes this sentiment.
Christ is my reward
And all of my devotion
Now there’s nothing in this world
That could ever satisfy
Through every trial
My soul will sing
No turning back
I’ve been set free
Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You
Everything I need
Christ my all in all
The joy of my salvation
And this hope will never fail
Heaven is our home
Through every storm
My soul will sing
Jesus is here
To God be the glory
Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You
Everything I need
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back
No turning back
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back
No turning back (the cross)
The cross before me
The world behind me
No turning back
No turning back
“And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus….To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”