Right up front: I have been called technologically-challenged.
I’m not as bad as I used to be. Someone would just start talking computers and I would zone out. Or get this glazed-over look on my face like “Please! Talk English! I don’t get Geek Speak.” They might as well have been speaking Klingon to me (and no I have never watched a Star Trek show or movie) for all I could understand.
But I have gotten better. Okay…so I don’t understand all the HDMI talk and all the Geek Speak, but I do know how to turn one on and search the internet. See…told you I have gotten better. 🙂
But something happened today (Monday) which reminded me how dead-in-the-water I am when it comes to electronic stuff. The TV Jo uses is dying. More quickly every day. I series of lines appears when she turns it on and that block is getting larger with each passing day. I was watching one of her movies the other day (Pacific Rim) and she came back to my ManCave while I was riding and watching. She asked me what I was watching and when I told her, she said, “How come I couldn’t see it as clear?” My TV is close to 20 years old and still has a sharp picture. She felt like she was watching the TV in the dark. So, for the past week or so she has talked and investigated TVs. Today we bought one. Brought it home. Set up the stand.
I wish I could say it was that easy setting up the TV. For close to 1 1/2 frustrating hours I tried setting up the TV so it looked as sharp as it did in the store. Not a chance. I tried everything on the TV, but to no avail. I’m sure it has to do with something I am not doing. But I was clearly (and I mean very clearly) frustrated.
As a follower of Christ:
Am I as frustrated with my lack of clarity in life?
Am I as frustrated with my lack of clarity when reading the Bible?
Am I as frustrated with my lack of clarity when praying and not “hearing” from God?
Am I as frustrated with my lack of clarity when it comes to God’s direction?
Am I as frustrated with my lack of clarity when it comes to leadership direction, mission and vision?
Truthfully? No, I’m not. Would it be true to say I am “clarity-challenged?” Yep. If I was as frustrated there would be radical changes and attempts made to seek more clarity. I may have to call in someone who knows electronics to fix my issue.
Wish it was that easy in my spiritual life.
Are you like me? What do you do when the cards are stacked against you? What do you do spiritually?
I think that I am a lot like you in seeking clarity and getting frustrated with my myopic vision. Spiritually, when this happens, I sometimes follow Jesus’ advice, “Be still and know that I am God.” When I let my frustration and anxiety and doubt just settle down, I can find His way again. Can I see any better afterwards? No. But I find that I can be O.K. with that most of the time.
It is the “be still and know” part I struggle with in times of little clarity. Your advice is dead on though Daniel. It does sometimes take getting away or to stop doing things that brings the clarity needed.
You’ve never seen a Star Trek show or movie? Wow.
I think one reason we don’t have clarity is because we complicate things. We make them harder than they have to be.
Nope never have. Never cared for that type of movie, although I like the Superhero movies. But you are also right Larry. We do tend to complicate things.
I have a real clear picture. My TV is in the closet. I’ve had this off/on again relationship with TV all of my life. I have gone years without TV in the past. My daughter has only had TV off an on since she was born. We just moved and I decided until I get the piece I’d like (I want an old antique cupboard that the TV can be closed in rather than modern entertainment center), I will forego TV.
I’d say that is some real clarity. 🙂 I use mine mostly for baseball and to watch movies on a DVD player. I’ll be hard-pressed to pay a high cost for a new TV.
Lately, I am definitely frustrated over the wrong things. Too focused on self and feelings/emotions. Perhaps the focus on my frustration needs to change. Never thought of that before. Not sure how that’s going to happen, actually.
I go through seasons when something may bother me one time and not another. Of course it is usually over the wrong thing.
I think there’s a healthy amount of frustration with a lack of clarity, but I think it’s something we can’t take too far. At some point, we have to acknowledge that we’re created beings – and we need to get moving.
Very true Loren. Nothing wrong with having to search for that clarity.
Great analogy, Bill. We should be so impatient and desirous for the things that our Father holds dear. You’re not alone obviously, it is the fight of the flesh.
I have to use the discipline of studying specific verses to try to keep my spirit in check, not always easy to “draw nigh unto Him.”
I hate to admit this, and it had to be over a decade ago, but I’ve punched the computer screen… As much as I use electronics you’d think I’d be get better with them… Just got a new phone yesterday and the specific voice activated feature I got it for isn’t working today… Hhhhhhuuuu….
Thanks Floyd. Also thanks for letting me know I am not alone in wanting to put my fist through or throw some device when it is not working correctly.
I’m a type A personality, so yeah, I get really frustrated with various things. 2013 and so far into 2014, God is helping me to let go of my control issues and to trust Him to work things out. Yes, He has given me many talents but I shouldn’t rely on them more than I do Him. I’m learning the beauty and peace to be found in resting in Him.
It is more of a struggle for some than it is for others. I love the lesson you are learning though.
I love that I don’t have to work on my “spirituality”.
I don’t even know what that means.
I do know that I am free…in Christ.
So I just live my life. And I know that He is for me…in the midst of all of it. In good times, and in bad.
And I don’t expect anything.
I make the most of whatever comes my way, as much as a sinner can make the best of anything.
I love that I am free in Christ. Without a doubt the better of the two.
I’m right beside you about being tec-challenged:)
Gaining clarity about a situation or our future is so important. Personally, whenever I need clarity I take time to talk with God (usually while driving and I talk with Him like He is sitting next to me). Praying that He would be present and just talking really helps. Great thoughts!
As you know already Dan, i don’t multi-task very well. My time praying has to be a concentrated time of quiet. I sure wish I could though. Thanks for your input. I envy those who can.
Hey Bill! Every time I think I’m getting things figured out, I find my clarity isn’t quite what I thought “challenged is a good word”. At my age I just keep rolling with the punches relying less on me and more on Him.
Like me Mike, you gotta keep rolling and trusting.