Continually Facebook

1Thessalonians 5:17 commands us, "Continually Pray."

At various times in my life, I have puzzled over what that means. Recently, Joel Beeke told the story of a maid who had been waiting upon some pastors/theologians, who were confounded by this very question. When they asked her, she said something to the effect that when she served them bread she prayed that God would nourish her; when serving them drink, that He would give her the water of life; when cleaning, that He would remove all filth from her.

That's a good idea. There's a reason that God has filled His Word with simple everyday illustrations of immense spiritual realities. But as an explanation of 1Thess 5:17, it's just not that satisfying.

Well, Facebook to the rescue. Really? Yes. But not in the way that you might think. Something happened this morning that was a mixture of challenge, inconvenience, and concern. And my first reflex was, "I should post that to Facebook." You see, I have some friends who would be intrigued by the oddness of it, others who would sympathize with me, others who might know something and suggest it, still others who would help me, and even others who would pray for me.*

And it struck me. At the best times in my spiritual life, these were all things that I continually related to my Father, and to my Savior, and to the Spirit... not to Facebook.

I told Him when something odd happened, because it was His providence to me (Eph 1:11), and I enjoyed relating to Him that I recognized His hand in my life (Ps 139:16-18).

I told Him when something was challenging, because I knew that He cared for me (1Pet 5:7), and  that He commands me to let me know about such challenges (Phlp 4:5-7), and even because I know that every demonstration of my inability is a glorious display of His ability, and another lesson in absolute dependence (2Cor 12:7-10).

I asked Him for help first, because I knew that ultimately all help must come from Him (Ps 124:8), and because His is all the help we need (Rom 8:31-32).

I loved to share my life with Him, because it was a constant delight that union and communion with Him was the story of my life (Jn 6:56, Jn 15:4-5, Jn 17:20-26, Gal 2:20, Rom 6:3-8. Rom 8:17).

So, Facebook to the rescue. And I do indeed plan to post this to Facebook! But Father first. And Christ first. Are you in a dry season spiritually? Might it be in part because your life is better characterized by "facebook continually" than by "pray continually"? Is it possible that where experiential union and communion with Christ ought to be, you've been duped into accepting a counterfeit union and communion with 1134 friends (even with believers, with whom we're commanded to fellowship)?

This has, of course, been a temptation and a problem for all Christians. But our "friendships" with others were never meant to be so comprehensive. This level of communication, and interaction, and dependence, and mutual delight ought to be enjoyed with The Friend who sticks closer than a brother, with our Beloved of whose I am and Who is mine. In earthly relationships, the closest analogy is the honeymoon.

Married couples cannot honeymoon forever. Someone has to earn the bread, and someone has to bake it. But that's just it; you can honeymoon forever with Christ. He is never otherwise occupied such that He hasn't the time or attention for you, and He is always with you--you needn't move a muscle or open your mouth to communicate or commune with Him.

With such sweet fellowship so constantly and immediately available to you, dear Christian, why is it that so many of us are better described by "facebook continually" than by "pray continually"? Oh, let us strive for the latter!

I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine!

*not that there's anything wrong with having friends pray for you--but really, if you go to them before you go to Christ, how is the spirit of that any different than the idolatrous praying to saints of the Roman Catholics?