Computer users know this command as exercising control over a seemingly hopeless situation. That moment when the screen freezes, the program goes into some endless loop and your heart rate starts to climb. This is the opportunity to do a reset and regain control from the machine that seemingly runs itself. Experience has shown it comes in handy when you’ve tried corporal punishment like pounding the keyboard or slapping the monitor but were unable to correct its rebellious behavior. Now is when you and your computer come to an understanding that it will do what you’ve told it to do. You are in charge, you are the human in this relationship and the machine will not waste any more of your time. Those three keys you press are one of the most powerful weapons known to the general computer user; CONTROL/ALT/ DELETE.
Every so often we’re reminded that we don’t have all the answers. For some of us, not being in control of a situation and at the mercy of circumstance can be all consuming. Seems that we all have a measure of faith and even non-believers trust certain assumptions that they have no control over. Like taking for granted that this planet, the only one known in the universe to sustain life, will continue to provide the correct level of oxygen; or trusting that the semi truck speeding at you mere feet apart on the two-lane road will stay in his lane; or not having to worry that our heart will continue to beat through the night while we sleep. Regardless of where you’re at spiritually, the evil one will continually invade our domain with anxiety and doubt; it’s what he does, and without some device to combat those viruses (continuing the computer analogy) we will be woefully unprotected on our journey. Isn’t it ironic that for many continuing to search for answers, our Program Designer and Architect has already identified and equipped us with the ability to work through the unexpected and the mysteries; that great equalizer is faithful prayer.
Webster’s defines faith as, “an allegiance of trust and loyalty in a belief often based on a strong conviction, not necessarily tangible.” For those without it, the emphasis is on self-reliance and blindly looking for a plan that works while continually hitting reset when things don’t go as planned. For believers, it’s putting your cares and concerns in the God of creation; the One who put all of your parts together in the first place and designed a finely tuned machine.
Our Heavenly Father never said this journey would be easy. Yet He gave us the tools we needed to be effective ambassadors for Christ; with the instructions to be obedient and faithful and available. When our world is rocked and turned upside down those written instructions reassure us not to become anxious; instead we reset through faith and the power of prayer, while the Holy Spirit operates on a level we can’t even define. To make sense of spiritual matters, we often rationalize with visualizations that we understand. However, our Creator is not contained by our characterizations and when we, His creations, humble ourselves in prayer and acknowledge our place in His design, we truly enter into a level of peace that we have no earthly explanation for. Being faithful in our Christian walk is a gateway to the Holy Spirit instilling within us the fruit of the Spirit, and as needed, wisdom, courage and discernment.
So don’t let the unplanned interruptions in life hold you down; believe that “… all things work together for good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Our Designer didn’t leave us out here on our own to be stuck in some endless loop and overwhelmed when our system crashes, without providing an Advocate and Champion. It’s about confidence in what we hope for and assurance of things we cannot see.
You’ve got this.