Our desktop computer is the fastest in the house. It’s a good computer that makes multi-tasking a breeze! While I thoroughly enjoy my little netbook, the desktop is just so much easier to manage.
Except for one thing.
The desktop randomly shuts itself down for no apparent reason. Sometimes it happens four or five times in an hour. Sometimes it can go for a couple of days without happening even once. Sometimes it shuts down when no one is using it and no programs are running. Other times it shuts down right when we’re in the middle of something. We have not pinpointed a trigger of any sort. Although I know there is a specific cause, to us it appears completely random.
Sometimes I think we as Christians are a little like my computer. Sometimes we run smoothly along, no matter how much pressure is put on us. We can seem to be buried under mounds of junk that is thrown at us but still persevere with the strength and in the joy of Christ.
Other times, though, the simplest little thing ties us up in a knot of useless anger, frustration, and incompetence. It’s as if we shut down, frequently over absolutely nothing!
Deep down inside of us, we know what causes the perseverance in good circumstances and bad. We also know what causes the breakdowns, whether under sunny skies or intense storms. We can see our own communication line to our Savior, and we know when it is running thin.
But, to the rest of the world, our smooth sailing versus our shut downs can seem completely random. They are unpredictable and therefore render us unreliable. How can others truly know that they can walk confidently in the Lord if they see us randomly shutting down?
I still utilize my computer. I’m typing on it now, hoping that I’ll get to finish this blog post before the next shut down. But, when I need reliability, I go back to my slower, smaller netbook.
Sometimes those around us need reliability. What will they turn to? I guarantee you it won’t be as harmless of an alternative as a slower computer with a smaller screen. It will be one of the world’s ways to death.
Without a doubt there will be times when we fail. There will be times when we shut down. We are human. It happens, and it will happen until we are made perfect in eternity. But, part of our growth is seeing a decrease in our shut downs. It is seeing an increase in not only our reliability to others but also a reliance on Christ.
Whether we are slow and small or big and multi-tasking, may we always rely and be reliant.
Not Quite Ordinary 