Articles
God & The Boogie Man
God & The Boogie Man
Cory Waddell
The date was December 21, 1993. For most of the world it was a typical holiday-rushed day as people prepared for the imminent Christmas celebrations. Yet, flying below the radar, an event was taking place that would impact the lives of countless Christian children, for this was the day that a talking cucumber and tomato bounced onto their TVs and introduced them to the magical world of VeggieTales. Even today, it’s hard for this 41-year-old kid to not stop and sing along with the “Bom-Bom-Bom-Bom” of Larry’s tuba. These talking vegetables were created to communicate simple Biblical truths to young hearts that were building faith in God. That first story on December 21, asked the question, “Where is God When I’m S-Scared?” In the episode, a young Jr. Asparagus is frightened by a scary movie (Frankencelery) and finds himself seeing all kinds of spooky things in his dark bedroom. Bob and Larry show up with a fabulous song teaching Junior that “God is Bigger Than the Boogie Man” and he is always watching out for you and me.
In adulthood I have realized that the Boogie Man does not go away just because I have gotten older. He does not take the shape of a literal monster in my closet or under the bed, but rather the form of other fears that plague many adults. Fears of not having enough money to pay the bills. Fears of what the future is going to bring to my children. Fears of whether I am adequate to do the job I have been hired to do. The list could go on and on.
The Psalmists knew of fear and Boogie Men quite well. All throughout the book, they poured their hearts out to God when darkness crowded their hearts. Long before VeggieTales, they understood that God was greater than any enemy, real or imaginary, they might face. Consider these excerpts from Psalm 27.
1 - The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
5 - For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
7 - Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!
8 - You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”
14 - Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; Wait for the LORD!
Do you have a Boogie Man? Is there something hiding in the closet of your heart that, from time to time, creates a moment of panic or fear for you or someone you love? That is okay. We all have them. The difference between us and the rest of the world is that we do not have to be paralyzed by our fears. We can face them, and we can hand them over to the Lord. We can do this because regardless of what yours may be, the tomato and cucumber are still right…God IS bigger than the Boogie Man.
