Something Went Wrong!

This week’s blog is coming your way somewhat later than expected. I had hoped to write it when I normally do but, when I switched on my computer to do so, the following message came up.

Apart from telling me something went wrong, it gave an error code and, the bottom line was, I could not access my emails or my word processing programme or my One Drive programme which stores all my documents. It meant I was completely snookered in terms of using my computer. I had all this amazing technology at my fingertips, but I was unable to use it. What became obvious very quickly was that I needed help if I wanted to be able to do a lot of my work. You realise how dependent you are on the computer for everything, from emails to writing talks and sermons and blogs and recording podcasts.

We use it to run our online prayer meetings, to attend online training sessions for all sorts of things. I did my best to find solutions. I Googled the error code and it spoke about uninstalling programmes and all sorts of things that were way beyond my range of experience or expertise. I started to reach out to friends who know a great deal more about technology than I do.

As the computer was off limits, I got on with some other stuff. I did some visits and phone calls. I went to a prayer meeting and set up some meetings. Even as I did these things, I wondered what I would do if my computer remained inoperative for another day. There were deadlines looming and I wondered what I could do to get this vital tool working for me again.

Imagine my relief when a friend responded to an earlier message. Even though he had been working late he invited me to go online and he conducted a rapid series of repairs which meant that the computer is up and running again. He’s a man who has got me out of trouble on a number of occasions before. I marvel at his knowledge, his patience and his fearlessness in approaching these problems of technology. He knows a lot of things and he is so generous with his time in wanting to find solutions and get you up and running again.

As my computer was playing up, another important piece of kit was also giving bother. My mobile phone has been failing to hold its charge, to the point where it needed to be charged a couple of times a day.

I took it to a local phone repair shop which has helped me before. They studied the settings and diagnosed the need for a new battery which was fitted and ready for collection within half an hour. Again, you become aware of just how much you depend on these things working well and, tonight, after it was charged, it still seems remarkably full of battery life, even after some calls and messages. Previously, even a few hours of that kind of activity would have seen it needing another charge.

I wonder is our spiritual life a bit like my computer and my phone at times. A bug gets into the system. The Bible calls it Sin and, as it gets a grip, it has the capacity to paralyse our effectiveness for the Gospel.

We try all these fixes to get our relationship right with God again and, despite all our efforts – good works, church attendance, giving to charity, the connection seems to be gone. We stop reading our Bibles and praying and, eventually, this vital connection seems to be gone altogether. We know how powerful it is from our experiences of it in the past, but we need someone to help us.

That person is Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection. He reached out to us in our helplessness and, through all that he accomplished on the cross, he has opened up this living way back to God. Where there has been disobedience and selfishness, he offers to restore the connection that has been broken. Where we lack power in ourselves, as we surrender to Him He offers us the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live for Him.

Can we be generous, like my friend who reached out at my point of helplessness, and used the knowledge available to him to find me a way back to using my computer again? Could we be that friend who points someone who is lost and broken to a life giving and restorative relationship with God? “Freely we have received, freely give.”

Unfortunately, our concert with the Lyndsey Chorale choir has had to be cancelled on Saturday 19th October but, for those seeking a musical evening on 19th October, I’ve been made aware of a special concert at McQuiston church at 7.30 pm. There will be classical piano music, classical guitar, the Ballynafeigh Community Choir and a house jazz band. Admission is free, but donations gladly received for a number of causes.

Look forward to speaking again soon.

Much love to everyone,

Jono.

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