For several years now, I find myself rewatching entire TV series that I once enjoyed in the past.  For instance, I am once again for the 3rd time watching The Golden Girls.  I watched this series when it first originated in 1985-1992, then again in 2020, during the lockdown when everyone was binge-watching something.  Watching it in my 50’s verses my 20’s was even more enjoyable since I could now relate to a lot of the characters’ aging challenges. Moreover, shows like “Everyone Loves Raymond, Monk, Love Boat, and even a few episodes of Fantasy Island have also made it on Michelle’s “rerun” list.

(Most Gen X’ers will recognize the last two shows listed. I even “gentlemen-bet” they will know which night and what time the shows were on the television 😊)

One show, I Dream of Jeannie was a program that I adored watching when growing-up.  Major Anthony Nelson, an astronaut, finds a genie (named Jeannie-I never realized her name was not spelled “Genie”-smart play on words from those 60’s writers) in a bottle on the beach.  Instead of 3 wishes, “Jeannie” immediately falls in love with Major Nelson and tries to make his life better with her magical powers.  Each episode’s comedic genre was enhanced each time Jeannie’s “blink” led to a mini-disaster for Major Nelson to “clean up”.

Over time, Jeannie learned that Major Nelson loved her not because of her genie powers but because of who she was to him. It’s interesting because many times on the show, Jeannie wanted to “give/change” something in Major Nelson’s life but, he would say, “No”.  She had the power, but he had the knowledge to understand that getting everything he wanted easily is meaningless if not earned.

Similarly, the dynamic of the show correlates with my connection to my Heavenly Father. To explain, God has the power to grant any and all of my wishes/requests.   I have asked for thousands of “prayers” over the years. Some were heartfelt, begging pleas while others were just needless desires. 

God love us, and He wants to bless His children; yet, because of that same love, He wants to teach us to grow and learn from the benefit of a “NO” and/or “WAIT”.  If we received everything immediately and without effort, our human nature would begin to expect it. 

Biblically, scripture promises “take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalms 37:4). Thus, the more we seek God for Who He is and not what He can do for us, the more the desires of our heart align with the desires of His heart.  We begin to think like Jesus, walk in love like Jesus, and become more like Jesus.  Hence, our hearts’ desires become the same as our Savior’s.  The Bible may not be a magical lamp with a genie in it; however, it is the Living-Breathing Word of God that contains the power to change your life.  Just rub the cover and open it!

Song: Greater by Chris Tomlin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0wQRtLy4A0