The Reason - a new twist on the seatbelt story
Dec 20, 2024
You may have heard me share this seatbelt story before, but today I want to explore the deeper meaning—one that’s especially fitting for Christmastime. Read on to see why:
One of our mentors told us about a road trip he took. His friend turned to him and asked:
“Hey John, aren’t you going to put on your seatbelt?”
John replied,
“Why? Are we going to get into a crash?”
His friend said,
“No, but you know... seatbelts save lives.”
John responded,
“Seatbelts don’t save lives.”
His friend fired back,
“Yeah they do! Once, when I was driving down the road with my family, something told me to make sure everyone was wearing their seatbelts. So I made sure they all put on their seatbelts, and right after we turned the corner, there was another vehicle coming straight at us in our lane. It was a head-on collision, and we all survived because of those seatbelts!”
John calmly replied,
“No... the seatbelts didn’t save your life. Whatever told you to put them on saved your life.”
Let that sink in.
It wasn’t just what they did—it was why they did it that made all the difference.
And that principle applies beautifully to Christmas.
If you’re like me, you’ve been hustling for weeks, trying to make the holidays magical for your family. As much as I resist the commercialism, I still want to see my kids light up with joy. And let’s be honest—especially when they’re little, a wrapped gift gets more excitement than a spiritual bedtime story. I experience the internal wrestle every year:
But the truth is—it's not about what we give or don’t give. It’s not about what we receive or don’t receive. What truly matters is why we celebrate in the first place.
Yes, the seatbelts in John’s story mattered. And yes, the gifts under the tree can hold meaning and joy.
But at the root of both is the reason.
In that story, the reason they put on their seatbelts was because a loving Father in Heaven sent a prompting—a whisper of divine protection.
And at Christmastime, the reason we give gifts is because that same loving Father wanted to protect us from sin, from sorrow, from eternal separation—so He sent His Son.
The birth of the Christ child is the only thing that truly matters in our celebrations. We give gifts to honor the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. His life, His death, and His resurrection made it possible for us to overcome every hardship, every heartache, and even death itself.
He is the Reason.
So yes, we can say, “YAY Seatbelts!”
Or we can say, “Oh my God, you know me. You are aware of ME. You thought about me and my family and sent a prompting! Thank you for reminding us to put on our seatbelts.”
We can say, “YAY Presents!”
Or we can say, “Oh my God, you know me. You are aware of ME. You thought about me and my family and sent Your Son! Thank you for reminding me why He was born, and that He descended below all things, so He would know how to comfort me. Thank you that He lived a perfect life, to meet the demands of justice, and to make a way for me to return into Your presence, cleansed and whole one day.”
So with all the reverence in my heart, I wish you a VERY. MERRY. CHRISTMAS.
No matter what circumstances you find yourself in this year—there is truly something to be merry about.
Take a moment this season to let that truth settle deeper in your soul.
Let it inspire a little more stillness, a little more gratitude, and a whole lot more awe for the ultimate Gift—the Savior Himself.
With Love, Leslie
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