Not long ago a major internet service provider had a glitch in their programming that resulted in untold numbers of people
across the globe being denied access to their email for a short period of time. Business, educational and residential settings were ‘cut-off’ from their routine (and sometimes their only) mode of conducting their respective types of activity. To the casual or occasional email user this may sound like a trivial situation; yet to those individuals whose lives depend upon it to either earn
their living or else to keep in touch with family and friends, it was not. Mild irritation was not the prevailing theme that day in the chat room about the ISP or this particular problem. Foremost in evidence was the anger people displayed at being denied access to what is normally available to them, and as such, is treated as a right or an entitlement. There was also confusion over the ISP’s blatant silence regarding the status of this issue. And nearly all of the ‘chatters’ had the same unanswered question: How long was it going to be down?
I watched as the number of comments mounted into the hundreds, the above questions remaining as the prevailing themes, until suddenly one of the responses changed from the oft-repeated “me, too” to “I’m in!” The energy level in the chat room changed as contributors successfully logged into their accounts. As more “I’m in!” responses were left, the chat participants suddenly dwindled as they, presumably, resumed their normal email usage.
Computer technology is an amazing, beautiful invention as well as a valuable tool to countless people….as long as it works properly. Glitches, while not commonplace, are not unheard of. We are neither entitled to, nor guaranteed unlimited access and use of, this technology. It is a paid-for privilege that has so permeated our culture that it is practically treated as a right.
As I later thought about this situation, I realized how unreliable manmade communication devices can be and marveled yet again at the wonderful method of communication we have been provided with in the form of prayer. God never has a glitch in His programming or in His power supply. There’s never a time when He’s ‘off-line’ for program upgrades or is inaccessible because He’s stepped out of the office for a bit or gone on an extended vacation. God has no voicemail. He’s always there, waiting, longing and listening for us to speak to Him.
1 Peter 3: 12 (NIV) “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.”
God would love to meet with you in His ‘chat room.’ Go ahead. Send Him a "prayer-mail."
across the globe being denied access to their email for a short period of time. Business, educational and residential settings were ‘cut-off’ from their routine (and sometimes their only) mode of conducting their respective types of activity. To the casual or occasional email user this may sound like a trivial situation; yet to those individuals whose lives depend upon it to either earn
their living or else to keep in touch with family and friends, it was not. Mild irritation was not the prevailing theme that day in the chat room about the ISP or this particular problem. Foremost in evidence was the anger people displayed at being denied access to what is normally available to them, and as such, is treated as a right or an entitlement. There was also confusion over the ISP’s blatant silence regarding the status of this issue. And nearly all of the ‘chatters’ had the same unanswered question: How long was it going to be down?
I watched as the number of comments mounted into the hundreds, the above questions remaining as the prevailing themes, until suddenly one of the responses changed from the oft-repeated “me, too” to “I’m in!” The energy level in the chat room changed as contributors successfully logged into their accounts. As more “I’m in!” responses were left, the chat participants suddenly dwindled as they, presumably, resumed their normal email usage.
Computer technology is an amazing, beautiful invention as well as a valuable tool to countless people….as long as it works properly. Glitches, while not commonplace, are not unheard of. We are neither entitled to, nor guaranteed unlimited access and use of, this technology. It is a paid-for privilege that has so permeated our culture that it is practically treated as a right.
As I later thought about this situation, I realized how unreliable manmade communication devices can be and marveled yet again at the wonderful method of communication we have been provided with in the form of prayer. God never has a glitch in His programming or in His power supply. There’s never a time when He’s ‘off-line’ for program upgrades or is inaccessible because He’s stepped out of the office for a bit or gone on an extended vacation. God has no voicemail. He’s always there, waiting, longing and listening for us to speak to Him.
1 Peter 3: 12 (NIV) “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.”
God would love to meet with you in His ‘chat room.’ Go ahead. Send Him a "prayer-mail."
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