"Problems"

Date: December 29, 1996
Series: "Making the Most of Christmas"
Message: "God's Purpose in Problems"
Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Concept: Two guys are back at work after Christmas, comparing their holidays.  As they tease about the gifts they got, they begin to reflect on the year they've had...the problems they've had.  How they look at their problems are the crux of this sketch.

Scene: Two guys are at work together.

Tom: Hi, Scott!  Welcome back to work.  How were your holidays?

Scott: Holidays?!  More like "busy days".  Seemed like it was non-stop going here, shopping there, visiting, eating, visiting, eating...you know, same old holiday grind.

Tom: Yeah, I know.  We had the whole family at our house for Christmas.  It sure is good to get together, but a house full of kids, presents, food and relatives can be overwhelming.  We opened presents, and with nine grandkids to open them, we couldn't see the floor for all the wrapping paper.  

Scott: Speaking of presents, how did you do?

Tom: Come on...you still care about what you get for Christmas?  Aren't you getting a little old for that?

Scott: Hey, I'm still a "toys 'r me" kid at heart.  Don't get much for toys, though.  You should see what my sis got me.  Green fuzzy froggy slippers!  Size 11!  

Tom: Boy, you must look pretty in those.  What did you say to your sister?

Scott: I said, "Oh, sis, you shouldn't have...I mean you really shouldn't have."

Tom: Yeah, as in "how to say 'thank you' when what you really mean is, how could you?"  I got some presents like that, too.  Sometimes I don't do so well when it comes to the art of holiday courtesy, but I'm learning.  I just keep reminding myself that its the thought that counts.  

Scott: Yeah, but that gets  old after awhile.  One of these years, I'd like to get the things I really want...

Tom: Instead of green fuzzy froggy slippers?

Scott: Right.  But...that's life.  You hope for the things you really want, but have to settle for green fuzzy froggy slippers.

Tom: My friend the philosopher!  Come on, life's not so bad.

Scott: Well, sometimes it seems like it.  Its been a tough year.  Seems like we've had to battle  one thing after another.  So much of what I hoped for never happened.  Sometimes I walked around wondering what God was going to drop on me next.  I remember thinking, how did I get on His blacklist?

Tom: Hold on, Scott.  You think because you have problems that God is out to get you or something?

Scott: Well...sometimes it seems like it.  Come to think of it, you didn't have so hot a year yourself.  Didn't you think God was mad at you sometimes?

Tom: Problems are part of life.  I don't always understand why problems come, but one thing I do know for sure is that God loves me.  He isn't out to get me.  I know He's got a purpose in those problems.  So, when problems come, I ask Him to make me better in them and not let me get bitter because of them.  

Scott: Well, I guess you look at problems differently than I do.  

Tom: I guess I do.  I look at God differently than you do, too.

Scott: You know, come to think of it, you do seem to handle problems with a good attitude.  Better than me, anyway.  Maybe I need to look at God more like you do.  

Tom: It'll help.  Because of Him, one thing I've always got is hope.  (pause) You did handle one problem better than me, though.

Scott: I did?  

Tom:  Yeah.  You should have heard what I said when my sister gave me pink fuzzy bunny booties.




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