At some point this year and possibly sooner rather than later, I’m going to need to get a new laptop computer, my current one is at least eight years old and now runs very slowly.
I’m dreading having to make the change in case any important files, especially files of photos, go missing while they’re being transferred from one machine to another.
Fortunately, I’ve got a computer expert, Grahame, who will do the transfer for me. He’ll come and collect both the old and new laptops, do the work at his house and then return them; the new one primed and ready for action.
From time to time when I’ve had a problem with my current laptop (usually because my impatience when trawling a website means I’ve ‘agreed’ to accept cookies), Grahame steps in to help. By the time I contact him I’ve usually got a whole jar full of cookies but he helps me by doing a remote fix.
I agree a time to phone him and then, by using a piece of software he’s installed on my desktop, he can take control remotely and work through various things until the problem is fixed …. at least until the next time.
While I marvel at the ease with which he does this and the fact that he can hold a conversation at the same time, it’s very disconcerting to watch the cursor whizzing round my screen, opening, closing and deleting documents and programs without me touching the keyboard or the mouse, even though I’m itching to do so.
It’s really hard for me to relinquish control, to sit back and watch changes, repairs and improvements taking place. Of course, they’re going to be very beneficial ultimately but it’s still a scary process sometimes. Nobody likes to give up control, do they?
Some of the words and phrases that come to mind when I think about Grahame taking control of my laptop are: ‘awe inspiring’, ‘fascinating’, ‘I know I can trust him’, ‘I’m so grateful for what he’s doing’, He’s so patient’, ‘I feel a bit scared but I know that the changes he’s making are for my own good’.
You probably don’t know Grahame but does that list remind you of anyone you do know? When I was writing it, I was struck by the fact that I could use all of those words and phrases to describe my relationship with Jesus.
He is working in me to make me into the person he wants and needs me to be: removing the things I don’t need and tidying up and strengthening the things I do need to keep.
We sometimes have our battles about who should be in control but He is endlessly patient and I’m gradually becoming more confident at sitting back and just watching things unfold. The process is fascinating and awe inspiring.
I’m almost excited about buying another laptop now. What new opportunities will come with it? What new blog posts will I be inspired to produce? Where will Jesus reveal Himself in my everyday life in the days and months to come? What will He write into my life and what does He want to write into other lives through my blog?
I don’t have the answer to those questions yet but I know someone who does have them ….
Sunlight Through the Shadows 