TV Guide

Can a classic television show guide you to a better relationship with God?

Baby Boomers may remember the 1950’s program “Father Knows Best.” It was about insurance agent Jim Anderson and his wife, Margaret, raising a son and two daughters in Springfield, a typical Midwestern community.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications recalls it as, “One of a slew of middle-class family sitcoms in which moms were moms, kids were kids, and fathers knew best.”

Some modern descriptions of the program call it “idealized” and “overly rosy.” I remember watching it as a boy and thinking it was normal—a lot like my world.

Plots were simple and usually centered around a moral lesson. And although dad (Robert Young) sometimes lost his temper—the show portrayed a family stability envied by many today.

Well hold on just a minute! How can a TV show guide us to a better relationship with God?

Good question. And the answer is in the title of the show: “Father Knows Best.”

Unlike today’s sitcoms where Dad is often a dummy (The Simpsons), Jim Anderson’s children learned to respect their father because he was usually right. Typically it happened after they tried something their own way and failed. Once in a while Dad got it wrong, but not often.

Even though Jim Anderson didn’t ALWAYS know best, we have a Heavenly Father who does. Our Father God always knows best. Trouble is we don’t listen to him like we should.

The Bible is full of people who might have said with Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way.” Jacob, Moses, Jonah and Saul of Tarsus are a few that come to mind. They thought THEY knew best.

But through trial and error they discovered, as the Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” God, it turns out, always knew best!

Usually we rely on friends’ opinions like the Bible’s King Rehoboam did. He ignored godly advice, listened to his peers and split his father Solomon’s kingdom.

One reason the Bible records the events of so many people’s lives is so we can learn from them. We learn mistakes to avoid and we learn the benefit and blessing of obeying God.

We also must learn to ask God, our Father, for direction. He does know what is best for us!

What’s interesting is that some people do ask what God wants them to do. They listen in church. They read their Bibles. But when God answers, they don’t obey.

Maybe the answer isn’t the one they wanted. Often they hope God will give them permission to do what they want to do anyway. Even if it will hurt them or others.

But God loves us more than that. The life he calls us to live isn’t just about obedience but also the path of blessing. When he forbids or denies our requests it’s to prevent us pain--or worse.

Sadly, so many are intent on going their own way. And that proves God right. The Bible says, “We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.”

Often I’ll watch this process happen in someone’s life and wonder, “What will it take for us to learn to obey God? How much do we have to suffer? How many lives have to be ruined?”

Thankfully God is patient. When we return to him repentant--with our lives shattered, hearts broken and our pride humbled—he forgives us through Christ and gives us a new beginning.

Jesus said, “If you love me you will obey what I command.” And then he asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”

You’ve tried it your way. Now try God’s way. Your Father in Heaven really does know best.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!