That’s not how it works. That’s not how any of this works!

Often television commercials provide more entertainment than the programs we watch.  My new favorite commercial features Beatrice who thinks she knows how things work but she’s got it all wrong.

For those who may not be Facebook users:  Facebook is an online social networking site that allows you to set up your own account and invite “friends” to be able to view whatever you post on your “wall”.  You also have the option to “unfriend” anyone you so choose.

Beatrice has the terminology of Facebook down and believes herself to be very “tech savvy”, yet she has it all wrong. She uses the disc player on her computer as a cup holder.  Rather than post her photos online, she has taped them to a wall in her home.  She very proudly displays her efforts to her friends telling them how much time she has saved by posting the photos to her wall, as well as the time and money she saved on her insurance.  One friend politely comments on a photo that she likes.  The other friend tells Beatrice that she saved more money in less time on her insurance.  Beatrice looks at her friend and with a wave of her hand declares “I unfriend you.”  The friend stands and proclaims “That’s not how it works.  That’s not how any of this works!”

Sometimes I’m like Beatrice.  I think I know how this Christian thing works, only to discover that I have it wrong. Like the many years I faithfully served God at church without truly believing that He loved me.  Or when I’ve struggled to make my own plans and desires come to fruition when God had a different plan in mind.  Or the times I’ve walked away from my prayer time feeling proud of the many lofty things I said when all God wanted that day was for me to listen.  Oh, and of course, let’s not forget the times I have “unfriended” someone because they dared to disagree with me or tell me I was wrong.

Sometimes I’m like Beatrice’s friend.  I may boast of my own accomplishments when someone is trying to tell me theirs.  Or perhaps look in disbelief at another’s actions or beliefs and feel compelled to quickly stand and let them know they have it all wrong.

I totally believe God has a great sense of humor and I can just hear the Holy Spirit saying “That’s not how it works.  That’s not how any of this works!”

We are works in progress and we get some things right and some things wrong.  We have a tendency to spend our efforts  trying to fix what is wrong (or telling someone else how to do it) before we go to God.  That’s not how it works!  The only way to know what we have wrong and to make the corrections is to start by going to God.  Learning how to live in His presence will automatically uncover both what we have wrong in our actions or beliefs and the solutions.

“…God is love.”  1 John 4:8 

“…we abide – live and remain – in Him and He in us…”  1 John 4:13

Abiding – living and remaining in Him.  Making Him the most important part of our lives is the foundation of getting this Christian thing right.  If we focus on Him in every aspect of our lives, through every activity and responsibility that we are involved in…if we talk to Him about everything….if we take the time to listen…He has promised to lead us into all truth.

Beatrice seems quite content in her world where she has it wrong.  Let’s not be content there with her.  Let’s get close to Him and get it right!!