I gotta admit. I used to love watching “I Dream of Jeanie” on TV when I was younger (If you ask me in person, I’ll deny it!). I was a pre-pubescent boy who was had long since noticed women. Imagine a beautiful, half-dressed woman who lived in a bottle and only came out when Major Nelson had a wish to fulfill! Can you say FANTASY boys and girls!?! Every time the Major rubbed the lamp (or even called Jeanie’s name), she was there to fulfill his every desire.
Yesterday I spoke with a young-lady who was so frustrated with life. She wasn’t getting what she wanted out of her job, her co-workers or her finances. “I think I’m making great strides in my integrity and character,” she said. “I go to church, I pay my tithes, I’ve even started going to Sunday school… why isn’t God giving me what I want?” I spent the next hour and a half trying to explain to her that the message of the Bible was the opposite. That if knowing Him alone is not satisfying, you’ve missed the essence of the Gospel. If you want His “stuff” but you can take or leave His love, you may never have actually experienced His love. She ended the conversation still frustrated that she couldn’t get what she wanted from God by doing all the right Christian stuff.
One of the major themes of the “I Dream of Jeanie” storyline was that Jeanie really desired an authentic relationship with Major Nelson. She didn’t want to spend her life blinking her eyes granting his wishes, but relegated to the lamp otherwise. She wanted him to love her for real… like she loved him.
Jesus doesn’t want to be your Jeanie. He wasn’t crucified so you can have a phat life. He died to expunge your sin so that you could have an authentic relationship with the Father. He’s well capable of creating miracles for you… but He wants more.
“We don’t serve Christ because He makes life better… we serve Christ because He’s better than life.” ~Pastor Matt Chandler
I think that’s something that I missed out on when I watched this show when I was younger: that Jeannie wanted a real relationship with Major Nelson. Looking back, it’s very clear. The contractual-genie God doesn’t really exist, at least not in the long term. Good metaphor.
Great post Bobby!
I like what John Piper says;
“The acid test of Biblical God-centeredness – and faithfulness to the gospel – is this: Do you feel more loved because God makes much of you, or because, at the cost of his Son, he enables you to enjoy making much of him forever? Does your happiness hang on seeing the cross of Christ as a witness to your worth, or as a way to enjoy God’s worth forever? Is God’s glory in Christ the foundation of your gladness?” God is the Gospel (pg. 11)
That was pretty deep man. See man i do better with these kids of metaphors. I hope one day i will find a church were i can easily receive the word the way you just gave it. Too much shouting going on around my way.
Good word bro, thanks for sharing!
I got a couple of ideas for you Credible… will hit u soon with what I got…
Man, I definitly feel u on the shouting thing… I have little patience for the church spectacle… give me something I can take home with me!