Scrooge has become synonymous with being a cranky, old cheapskate. And it’s easy to dismiss this as just an entertaining story because we’re not collecting our piles of cash in the same way he does. But we too are a type of Scrooge whenever we’ve allowed our heart to grow hard and have become singularly focused on our own self-interest.
To be sure, Scrooge was not always such a hard-nose miser. As the Ghost of Christmas Past reminded him, his childhood had moments of joy and love. But it was also marked by the pain of loneliness and the loss of love. And eventually he hardened his heart to protect himself against such vulnerabilities.
In the same way, early childhood wounds or the struggles of young adulthood might send us into a similar self-protective stance. For instance, we become the driven workaholic, the bitter cynic, or the harsh and controlling man who looks on others with contempt. Or perhaps we’re passive, emotionally absent, or otherwise withdrawn and isolated from others. Whatever it looks like, unhealed wounds from our past continue to fuel our hard hearts today.
As such, we miss the fullness of life God offers us in the present. Whether it’s due to our fear, regrets, or anger, we struggle to enjoy even the simple blessings of life. And, like Scrooge, we effectively become impotent – no longer able to bring more life and goodness into the world. And we will miss the mark regarding the impact we’ve been called to make unless we change.
But we can wake up as Scrooge did to a life full of purpose, generosity, and joy. However, we must recognize and heal from the past, learn to enjoy and fully engage in the present, and make the necessary sacrifices to build a meaningful legacy for the future.
In the end, learn from Scrooge and refuse to allow past wounds to keep your heart hard – missing out on God’s many blessings for you today. The freedom and grace you discover changes your future for the better.
