Chocolate and God

I love the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. If you haven’t read it or seen the movie, I strongly suggest that you do so immediately. It is a wonderful story. (The new movie is a little scarier than the original story but it is still good.)
I could write a whole blog series about the characters and how they relate to Biblical principles. I would start with Mike Teevee.
Mike Teevee is obsessed with television. He spends all day every day in front of the tv. In the movie version of the story we see Mike as a 12 year old boy with a terrible attitude. Every time Willy Wonka, the master chocolatier, describes an invention, Mike tells him why it can’t happen.
We all face that kind of negativity. Did you know we were made to be creative? We were made in the image of God and our Father is a creative God. All forms of beauty were designed by His hand. Before Him there was no form, no color, no light. He created everything. Like Him we have a motivation to create. An inner drive that compels us to try new combinations of words, colors, sounds, shapes. Those who, like Mike Teevee, squash our creativity are mean and wrong. When we, by accident or by malice, squash someone else’s creativity, we are mean.
Invention requires change. Change is scary. There was a time when I felt that I had to control everything. During that time, I could not tolerate even the thought of change. I remember being furious because the dishes were washed in the wrong order. I remember my mom being furious because the towels were folded wrong. I see examples of this all over. When we are trying to control the world, we get angry when something is different. The key is though that there is nothing within our control.
We are not in charge. God is in charge. This simple concept allows us to let go of our need for control. “Who among you by worrying can add a day to his life?” I can’t. I can’t even add a hair to my head. I can only trust that my God, who loves me enough to send His son to die and be reborn so that I can have a relationship with Him, loves me enough to take care of me. If I believe that and trust in Him, then I can be creative. I can take chances. I can reach out. I can have life and have it more abundantly. I no longer have to say “that won’t work” or “it doesn’t go that way”. I can relax and see what happens.
Innovation is a beautiful thing. Every time Mike Teevee told Mr. Wonka why something wouldn’t work, Mr. Wonka would get this strange look on his face. Then, he would look at Mike and say “You really must stop mumbling. I can’t understand you”. When you are faced with people telling you why you can’t do this or can’t do that, feel free to disregard their negativity. Listen only to see if there is some truth in what they say. If so, adapt. If not, disregard. After all, without innovation, we wouldn’t have chocolate.