by CVC Founding Pastor, Rick Duncan
The late Charles Shultz, in his Peanuts comic script, created a character, Linus, who is known for always carrying his security blanket. In spite of the grief he gets from his sister, Lucy, he takes great comfort from his blanket.
Most of us have our own versions of security blankets, too. Right? Our security blankets make us feel good and safe in this painful world.
What is your security blanket? What do you carry with you that makes you feel better?
Your blanket might be an addiction to work, approval, sex, fitness, alcohol, or drugs. Or you might take comfort in a relationship, entertainment, recreation, or success. We do all kinds of things to comfort ourselves.
Even the most confident among us have some level of insecurity in our lives. In the 1965 TV special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” we see Charlie Brown being told by a girl that she didn’t send him a Christmas card, being dismissed by Lucy who won’t listen to his problems, and being laughed at by a group of kids because of his “stupid” Christmas tree. Charlie Brown finally yells, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
Linus confidently says, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” He quotes from the original Christmas story found in Luke 2:8–14. Linus concludes, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” Something super-significant happens while Linus is speaking. As Linus comes to Luke 2:10, he says, “And the angel said unto them. Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
Precisely at the moment when Linus says, “Fear not,” he drops his security blanket.
It’s a huge moment. Why? Linus always has his blanket, despite the teasing he takes about it. But remembering the birth of the Savior means that he can drop his blanket. And so can you.
Our fears tempt us to cling to what is comfortable – to trust in things we can control. We put our faith in ourselves or others or things rather than in God.But your security is not found in your job, in your spouse, in your friends, in your bank account, or in anything else.
The truth that Charles Shultz taught in the Peanuts special is profound. The hope that comes to us through Jesus Christ is infinitely better than anything a security blanket can give. The birth of Jesus makes our blankets completely unnecessary.
So, we have to choose. Do we want His security or ours?We can be fearless in Christ. But we have to abandon our blankets.
Drop your blanket. Whatever it is. Hold yourself close to Christ. He is your source of security. Now… fear not. Unto you has been born a Savior. Christ. The Lord.
