FILE NOT FOUND

FILE NOT FOUND Computers! They are wonderful, except when they are not. They have gotten a bit too smart. I was trying to send a picture to someone the other day. I tried one folder and got the text bubble that said, “File not found.” No problem. I looked in another file and got the same message. Then I tried another file with the same result. Next I tried to find it in the email where I had sent it to someone. “No attachment” said the computer. I am hoping that I don’t have to recreate it because it was a really good picture. It is at this point that I usually resort to calling my computer genius child and asking how I need to word my request to the computer. He has the rare ability to speak both English and techno speak. While there are files that we cannot find, there are also files that have shortcuts. You can find them easily at any time. They might even pop up on the screen to remind us they are available. It can be hard to delete them, or at least turn off the reminders that they are available. What about in our spiritual lives? There are mental files, (beliefs) that are easily accessed. Unfortunately, they are often not the files we should be accessing. In my experience the malware files that pop up all too often are memories of mistakes I have made or of resentments. I have thoughts that pop up that say things like, “You are the weakest link.” “You’re supposed to be a Christian.” And “Your mother/ your dad/ God would be ashamed of you.” What files are hard to find for you? What about the times when God tells us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love?” (Jeremiah 31:3) We are saved by grace through faith, not through works that any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8) How about “I will never leave you or forsake you. You may boldly say, the Lord is my helper. I will not fear what men shall do to me.” (Hebrews 13:5 ) When I looked this up I found that there are 62 time in the bible where God uses the words “I will never leave you or forsake you. We need to create shortcuts for these files so that they are easily accessible. There are promises that we need to remember in difficult times and we need to meditate on them so we can have them in our spirits when times are hard. Finally, just like I have to call my computer genius child when I can’t translate from English to Tech Speak, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit for help. This is what Paul tells us about him. “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Life is hard and work is hard. We strive to honor God further his kingdom. Clean up your mental files, add shortcuts for love notes from God, and call the expert when you need him.