Being Good

“He’s making a list … checking it twice … he’s gonna find out … who’s naughty and nice … Santa Claus is coming to town.” I like the Frank Sinatra, Las Vegas Style version of this tune. You know, where the brass and drums start in heavy next. It takes me back. Well, I’m not that old, I lust like the brassy jazz sound. “He knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you’re awake, he knows if you been bad or good … so be good … for goodness … sake.” Oh yeah, I like it. Hmmm, what was that, why am I going on about a secular song made famous by worse than secular surroundings. Well, my dear Watson, sit down and I’ll tell you.

Last night was Mitch’s (my youngest) 17^th birthday and we were meeting his grandparents in Mount Vernon for a birthday meal together. It was very moist conditions on the road, but not raining. We were in a pretty good mood and traveling down the interstate at only 68 – 69 mph. Yes, it was over the speed limit, but not by much at all. No state patrol would bother to pull me over.

About 10 – 15 minutes down the road, an oncoming car blinked his lights at me to warn me of deer by the road. I slowed a bit and sure enough, there was a pretty Bambi look–a–like in the highway. It was across but where there’s one … ahh, you know. The other one was in the median trying to decide on whether to cross or not. It wasn’t making up its' mind fast but was sauntering toward my lane. It was kind of like, “Yeah, I’ll go … no, I’d better not … yeah, I’ll go.” The whole time I’m on the brakes, gently. The indecisive deer took off into the brush after my front bumper gave it a little love tap. I pulled over to the side to check for damage. (None, thank you Lord, for looking out for us!) and noticed the distinctive aroma of hot rubber. Hmmm, must not have been such a gentle braking job after all. After finding no damage, I got back in, commenting on the “discourteous deer that didn’t ever have the decency to wipe clean the headlight it hit.” I said this to diffuse the anxious faces in the car, but inside I was thinking about how just a little faster and I wouldn’t have been able to stop. We went a little slower for the rest of the trip.

What does that have to do with the aforementioned Christmas jingle? Well, pour yourself another cup of Earl Grey and I’ll tell you, I’m almost there. It hit me (again) that going below the speed limits are not about evading trouble with the officers, it’s about safety. And while 5 mph more doesn’t seem like much, had I added that onto the speed I was going last night, there would have been a wreck, and maybe injuries.

The story of this Christmas jingle is about the same way we sometimes look at God, as some kind of cosmic state cop; constantly looking over our shoulders and jotting down our poor decisions, just waiting to bust us. But you know that’s not it at all, right? Sure I thought so, this devotional today is for me. I’m the one who needs reminding that God is only interested in our safe fulfillment in life. And when Paul reminds his churches to admonish and encourage each other to live good and righteous lives, he’s’ doing the same thing, right? It’s not about living right just to please God. It’s not about living right to avoid punishment. Its’ about living right so that we can live full, rich lives, being joyful and fulfilled in community with each other. And that brings a smile to God’s face. Oh, and about the Vegas sound in the music, as Sammy Davis Jr. would have put it, “Oh baby, I just love the brass.” Ooh, I’ve gotta go and put another tune on.