I don’t have to tell you of the tremendous number of so called “reality” shows there are on television this year. Actually, there are probably more than I even know, and you can believe that there are more coming. If you add these to the game shows, which are in a sense also reality shows, the number boggles the mind.

No matter how different they are from one another they all have one thing in common, money. Usually that money amounts to big bucks for either the winner or survivor. One million dollars seems to be the going payoff rate for the reality shows whereas on the strictly game shows the winner’s amount varies greatly.

Bottom line is, however, that each contestant really wants just one thing, the BIG prize. It al so seems that they are willing to do anything to win; cheating, lying, double-dealing and double-crossing are all to often a part of the game. Exhibitionism and self-debasement are also a part of the game and it seems that almost everybody will do anything to get on one of these shows. After all, the odds of winning a million on Survivor are so much better than it is from Publishers Outlet.

But this is nothing new. In fact, think back on all the fairy tales and children’s stories where the “good fairy” or the magic genie promised all kinds of wishes granted, to say nothing of great wealth. Really, what are the odds of suddenly becoming a princess when you’re a poor girl with a really evil stepmother and then, living happily forever after. Yeah, right.

There is, however, a much older story, one where any wish would be granted, and I came upon it in my Bible reading this week. Although it’s a familiar story it seemed to have even more impact than usual, perhaps because of our national quest for the million-dollar pay-off, the end of all our problems.

What I discovered was 2 Chronicles 1:7, 10a (NLT). “That night God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, ‘What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!’” Solomon replied, “Give me wisdom and knowledge…” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if game and reality shows offered this as a prize!

The wonderful thing about “wisdom and knowledge” is, however, that it is available to us, all of us, and we don’t even have to do all those dumb things contestants do. We have but to ask God for it, as did Solomon.

Oh, perhaps, there is one other thing we need to do. We need to listen for God’s response … and follow it!

Learn more about St. James Reformed Church online: www.stjamesreformedchurch.blogspot.com