Our HP desktop computer with the monstrous tower, after 7 years, decided to think about crashing. I was okay with it because the Hebraic number 7 means completion. That had to be a sign from God, right? The old girl had completed her duties faithfully. She had seen my kids through junior high school, high school, my space, AIM, and the early launch of Facebook. She had helped with camp applications, college applications. She had shopped for cotillion dresses, homecoming dresses, prom dresses graduation dresses, deb dresses, and funeral wardrobes. She had outfitted us well.
On Saturday I enlisted the help of my 23 year old tech savvy daughter. We made the 30 mile trek to Best Buy to purchase a new all in one computer and wireless printer. My husband and I both have iPads and iPhones so it seemed logical to get an Apple Computer. Let's be real--it wasn't logical. I just wanted to sound smart. I actually had no idea what the syncing and iCloud meant.
I took a survey on Facebook and the general consensus was that the happiest computer owners were Apple people. So I bought an all in one Apple desktop with no tower. Huge investment compared to the $800 HP I could have repurchased.
I will admit that setting it up was magical! Everything just appeared on the screen as it is on my iPad! Who knew?! The challenge started when I couldn't figure out how to make the font bigger. How to make documents larger. How to make these pudgy fingers work on that weird little keyboard. After hearing me say "Well, my old computer could do this or that" at least a dozen times? My daughter promptly cut in "Mama, your old computer is dead. They get viruses. This is the best. You bought the best. It takes a bit to figure it out. Once you do you will love it. I'm done, Mama". She hugged me and left. So there I was staring at the sleek beautiful clean lined alien. A sudden panic took over. "Maybe I should take it back. Go purchase what I'm familiar with?" The blonde from the other room "Mama you are ridiculous".
The irony is that my computer ordeal is a lot like many of our faith walks. Our old ways do just fine. Until the bottom drops out. Then we realize the way we were living our lives? Well, we were missing out on the best. Many of us have dramatic conversions. Others have walked with Christ their whole lives. They had the vision. They could see the future that was in their best interest. Who had their best interest before they were born.
But what about those of us who give our lives to Christ who don't have perfect lives? We know we've chosen the best. Yet the old and familiar is always lurking around the corner. We are tempted to go back to the crash and burn. After all it requires no learning, no dedication, no patience. It didn't exactly run perfectly but we were comfortable with it. It was familiar.
God doesn't promise us perfect. In fact, sometimes it's just the opposite. Sometimes he has to strip us bare. Peel away the old. Reboot us so to speak ( see what I did there). Our new life in Him can be terrifying, frustrating, and lonely as He prepares us for the life He calls us to live. He gets rid of all the junk files. He knows what to trash and what to save. His possibilities are endless. Everyday He is teaching us new things, not only about ourselves, but about Him. He challenges us. He pushes us out of our comfort zone. He shows us things we've never been privy to before. Like my new shiny computer He rocks our world. And if we hang tight with Him? It is an awesome ride!
"And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of time."-Mathew 28:20
