Let's Make a Deal

 

I vividly remember laying on my Mamaw Whetsel's couch, her in her recliner, TV dinner trays still set up in the living room warm from the Swanson's turkey and dressing dinner entree, getting ready to watch Monty Hall and the night's episode of "Let's Make a Deal". It was exciting to watch the couples in their outlandishly creative costumes making a decision to keep what Monty had just offered them as a prize or to trade it in for "What's behind door number 2". So many times, the contestants would have a really nice expensive gift, but their ... curiosity, or discontented mental capacity would cause them to trade it in for something sight unseen that they hoped would provide a better and more satisfying outcome. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it was a complete flop and the contestants walked away with a "pig in a poke" prize. That was the allure of "Let's Make a Deal" the desire to have more, and unfortunately it has only increased as a preoccupation in our world. It's no wonder the original game show aired from 1963-1976, and has been revived over and over since, we always want more, better, bigger, improved, or simply what our neighbor has, remember that "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor..." line? Guess what?  God knew what He was commanding against, it is aberrantly human nature to want more!

That doesn't make wanting more completely bad, but it sure doesn't make it anywhere near okay either. On the game show Monty would flash $100 bills in the faces of the contestants trying to get them to take the cash instead of what was behind the curtain of doors number 1, 2, and 3 at times the money was the best option and sometimes the money was a subpar comparison to the new car or luxurious travel vacation package hidden behind the door. The issue wasn't and isn't whether you traded up or not, it's more about shouldn't we be thankful for the gift we have received, instead of always looking for some way to improve or expand our position in life. I'll make this not so bold statement. "If you can't be happy with what God gave you, then please don't think that just because this world gives you something more you all of a sudden are going to be content and fulfilled."

Contentment is defined by Webster as, "the state of being happy and satisfied". Plain and simple if you aren't happy with the "what" that God gave you then you are very unlikely to be content with the next big "what" that is in your radar. Never enough could be one way of describing discontentment. Dissatisfied with your appearance, have reconstructive surgery. Disillusioned in your marriage, have an affair. Upward mobility is the path to your contentment in life, work more, spend more than you make, and show it off like you have more than enough! All the while none of the aforementioned situations hardly ever lead to contentment with one's situation. Trust me there is no deal that you can make to improve your life that will make your life better if you can't be content with the life that you were given to live!

Satan is the master host of life's "Let's Make a Deal", yet please understand it most definitely isn't just a game of chance. In Matthew 4 we read how Jesus was offered a deal of the century by our adversary. In verses 8-11 Jesus was offered the world, but He had already made the decision to stay true to His Father, "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”  Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only".  Jesus knew that regardless of how appealing the offers that Satan made were, they would never equal the promises that God the Father had made to Him and offers us still today.

Life is full of choices, much like the appeal of my old favorite show, "Let's Make a Deal”, it’s hard to believe that what might be hidden behind door number 3 might just be better than what you have been handed in life. Play the cards that were dealt to you. Strive and work to provide a better quality of life for you and yours, but don't let that strive turn into your drive. As best as I can tell that's when the deal becomes the drive and the appeal just becomes the next thing that will "make" you happy and content. Sadly, that isn't the deal in life. I'll close with this warning from Paul to his fellow missionary Timothy, "For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." I Timothy 6:7-10. Basically, if you can't be happy with what God gave you then be prepared for a long, hard haul in life!

Coach Carter