The billboard on a local church had some poignant words:  Which do you open more? God’s book or Facebook?

This morning God’s book opened to Jeremiah:

When someone falls, do they not rise again? If they turn away, do they not turn back? Why then do these people resist with persistent rebellion? Why do they cling to deception, refuse to turn back?  I have listened closely: they speak what is not true; No one regrets wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” Everyone keeps on running their course, like a horse dashing into battle.

Jeremiah 8:4-6

I have never been a huge Facebook fan.  But I do flip through it from time to time.  And post a few pictures from time to time.  And I notice when I do, I generally start feeling doubt.  I feel regret.  I feel jealous of the perfect lives that others seem to have.  And when I post something, I wait for the affirming “likes” and approvals.

It is amazing how many of us look in the wrong places.  We cling to deception.  The deception that the world sells us.  The deception that we sell ourselves on Facebook and other social media platforms.  We speak what is not true.  And when we do wrong, when we make mistakes, we blame others.  We lash out at others.  It can never be our fault.

The courtrooms are filled with blame.  And the confessionals are empty.  Marriages are marred with divorce.   And children are being raised to believe that they are perfect and no one should tell them differently.  We do not ask “what have I done?”  Instead we exclaim, “Look what was done to me!”

We have convinced ourselves that we are perfect.  We are never to blame.  We are smarter and stronger and richer than others.  We don’t need God.  Our Facebook page proves that we are “liked” and “loved”.  And yet, our society is more depressed than ever.  Clearly we are wrong.

When I turned the page in the Bible, I read this:

Thus says the LORD:

Let not the wise boast of his wisdom, nor the strong boast of his strength, nor the rich man boast of his riches; But rather, let those who boast, boast of this, that in their prudence they know me, Know that I, the LORD, act with fidelity, justice, and integrity on earth. How I take delight in these—oracle of the LORD

Jeremiah 9:23-26

I am not wise.  I am not strong.  I am not rich.  Although I sometimes play those roles on Facebook or otherwise.  I am sometimes headstrong and keep running my course, when I know I should turn back, turn back to God.  I know God, but I want to know Him better.  I know that He acts with fidelity, justice and integrity.  But sometimes I forget.

Lord,

I know that You are the Truth.  In this world of deception, You are the Way.  Your book brings me Hope and Joy.  Your book reminds me what true Love is.  I know that no matter how far we fall, we can rise with You.  Thank you for always being there to remind us.  Thank you for always welcoming us back.  Help me to boast of you, not of me.  Help those who do not know you to find the way back to you, so that they too may boast of your goodness.  You are my God.  I boast of your goodness. I boast that I am your child and I am loved by you!