Scripture: James 1:6
In the 1960s, the Andy Griffith Show was a popular television series. Set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, writers created scripts that made viewers laugh while offering wisdom too.
One episode, finds Sheriff Andy Taylor struggling to believe his son, Opie. Andy assumes Opie is using his imagination to create an imaginary friend, Mr. McVeebee. When Andy confronts him, Opie is adamant—Mr. McVeebee is real.
After hearing Opie out, Sheriff Taylor, despite his doubts, tells his Aunt Bee and Deputy Barney Fife that he “believes in Opie.”
Unlike Sheriff Taylor who believes in his son, when it comes to the Christmas story, I’m like James 1:6: “you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
Clearly, there have been many times in my life when our complicated world has ‘blown and tossed’ me further away from this Christmas story of love.
And yet when I drift away, it is the loyalty of love found with Abraham and his son, Isaac, the Good Samaritan saving the beaten, robbed stranger, and Mary’s unshakeable love of God, Joseph, and Jesus that draws me back to believing.
Even Sheriff Taylor wasn’t tossed by the sea. His power of believing was affirmed when he really encounters Mr. McVeebee.
This Christmas, it is time to toss my doubts, and believe.
Prayer: God, this Christmas anchor my heart to believe in your loyal love. Amen
Note from the author: On Friday, December 20, 2024, I was honored to have “I Believe In Opie” published in the Advent devotional booklet by the Society of St. Andrew.
might be baloney 