Diagnostic Mode

CComputer problems are the norm for me.  It seems to me that those who can fix trouble, find trouble.  So, hardware can die, keyboards can fly, and software has these undocumented features that I like to call, bugs.  When you want to fix Windows apps, Microsoft has allowed its customers the use of Safe mode.  Using this diagnostic mode, you can choose to block out any or all the other applications that are loaded. It is bare bones version of Windows.  It’s not fully functional, but it almost always loads successfully.  I know I shouldn’t pick and choose my experiences with God, but my life doesn’t consistently allow God-driven applications to run.  You may also be the victim of malware if you can relate to some of these examples.

ME to WIFE: “I really want this TV, honey.”
WIFE to ME: “Can we afford it?”
ME to WIFE: “God hasn’t said yes, but we have credit!”

We, as people have a tendency to play it safe, stick close to the plate, and know how quickly we can back up, if necessary.  We see other players on the field: Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, but we’re tucked safe within our shelters, gazing out upon every missed opportunity that the Holy Spirit affords us.  We are cheering the leaders in our church on, right there in spirit, but unable to do anything of real impact ourselves. We don’t sin in what we do, but we sin by what we don’t do, over and over again.

⊂(◉‿◉)つ   This is Windows Safe Mode.  ⊂(◉‿◉)つ 

“God, it seems that maybe I’m grieved about how difficult it is to be a Christian.”

“Yes… I remember that before I knew you I used to sin, and I didn’t feel very bad about it.”

“Yes God, I do.  I remember that I had to face truths of how truly insecure I was, and how I hid behind my humor.”

“What is that LORD?  You know (Ezk 37:3 NKJV).”

“That is so not what I expected you to say.”  I laughed a little.  “What do you mean by a train wreck?”

“Okay.”  I had no idea where He was going with this.

“So the accident is what I have going for me?  LORD, you know.”

“I think I understand this LORD.  That other train that collided with mine, the one going in the opposite direction… that was Yours.”

“If my train was horribly mangled in that accident, what happened to Yours?”

“Well how did I get off my train and onto your train if it didn’t stop for me?”

“Thanks Dad (Rom 8:15), I still worry though.”

“But LORD, it’s so hard not to, that’s just what feels comfortable!”  Just then, I had a picture flash in my mind.  It was a picture of myself, sitting in cow plop.

“I surrender.  Thanks for wrecking the old man and reckoning him crucified (Rom 6:11 NKJV, Gal 2:20 NKJV).”

“Why does feeling like I used to feel never lead to surrender?  I know that when I look at how difficult it is to be a Christian, I am looking at what I can do and not what Christ has done.”

I don’t even think about it.  Why would I?