He’s Got The I.Q. of A Rabbit
It’s a Wonderful Life
opens with a scene that is easily overlooked. High up in the heavens are two
angels, Joseph and Franklin. They are discussing who should be sent to earth to
salvage the life of George Bailey. The suggestion is to send Clarence. Joseph
declares; “He’s got the I.Q. of rabbit.” Franklin responds; “Yes, but he’s got
the faith of a child – simple!”
Matthew 19:14 gives us insight from Christ’s perspective on
children. The disciples were rebuking those for having brought their children
to Jesus as though they were a hindrance.
Jesus rebukes the disciples by stating they should allow the little
children to come to Him because the Kingdom of God belongs to those who possess
their qualities. Jesus was BIG on children! Franklin saw something in Clarence
and defends him as the obvious choice for George Bailey’s need.
Think with me for a moment, as children they are not
sophisticated, they are real and humble. They are unpretentious and
adventurous, lighthearted and imaginative. Oswald Chambers would coined a
phrase, “reckless joy[1].”
Perhaps this phrase can express the unpolished juvenile approach to life
through the eyes of children. We GROW UP and become jaded by our world and we
begin to rationalize our behaviors, we become pretentious.
In simplicity, Clarence believes in George Bailey. Perhaps director
Frank Capra’s selection of Clarence enforces for us God’s choice of foolish
things in the world to shame the wise, choosing the weak things to shame the
strong (1 Corinthians 12:7). God chose David a shepherd boy, Moses who
stuttered, and Rahab the prostitute. Is it possible for Christ to also use
imperfect creatures like you and I?
