“Computer Crashes, Silence & Renewal”
My computer crashed and died on the same day
an infamous email virus “love bug” struck throughout the world. Most of my
files and 3,000 email addresses were in danger of being lost. So, I reacted like
any technologically handicapped person and panicked. I grabbed my precious cargo
and raced to the local computer doctor pleading for help. “Shoot me
straight, Doc. I can take it! Is it the love bug?”
He smiled and looked at me for the longest
time. (I hate it when they do that!) “Did you download any program updates
off the Internet recently?”
“Well,
sure.” I
replied. “Microsoft has a
great automatic update reminder. Several days ago there was a message to
download something to improve the Active X… whatever that is.”
A look of horror came across his face and
with a look of professional disdain he asked: “Was anything wrong with your
computer? Was it acting up?”
“No!”
He continued, “Did you need an
improvement so you could become more productive?”
“No! I don’t even know what Active X
is?”
“Then why did you do it?”
With a sheepish look I stammered, “Because
Microsoft told me too?”
After a long pause the doctor quietly asked:
“Do you always do what Microsoft tells you?”
What could I say? I had been caught
red-handed (and red faced) and charged with the crime of being careless and naïve.
After a lecture on the importance of backing up your files and avoiding
unnecessary downloads the doctor prescribed five days of bed rest and therapy
(for the computer).
“Five days! Five days! What would I do
with myself for five days? There was important work to do!”
It was at this
point… that I realized… there was a problem but it wasn’t with the
computer!
The Apostle Paul gives this warning to us
all: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God
transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will
know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing his will
really is.” (Romans 12:2)
As followers of God we are to be a
“light” to others but all too often our light is subtly dimmed and
discolored by the worldly passions of life. In my case it was the day-by-day
demands of writing, web-site maintenance and ministry. In other words, I was
doing the work but I was neglecting something far more valuable: my intimate
relationship with God. It all boils down to this: What are your priorities in
life? Most likely, it is what takes the majority of your time and energy. So
what is dimming your light?
Ø
Could it be the pressure to succeed in a highly competitive work
environment?
Ø
Maybe you’re feeling the daily grind of maintaining a household
and caring for children.
Ø
Are you caught up in the mind-numbing allure of any number of
entertainment pleasures?
The first day was tough. Like an addict, I
needed a computer fix… bad. “How do I write my devotion? Where is my
schedule? What if I borrowed somebody else’s computer? Maybe, I’ll buy a new
one.” The hours seemed to
drag on and on. I was feeling lost and vulnerable… right where God wanted me.
Something happened during those forced
periods of solitude. I did a little more reading and a lot more praying. In the
midst of a forced withdrawal from my hectic routine, I discovered a gem of
Biblical truth. But alas, that is next week. Meanwhile, please pray for my
family. I’ve been awfully moody lately.