Reliable

"for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness"*

I have a laptop, a mobile phone, an ipod, internet access, a printer, a television, a radio.... they are useful technology, but they are temperamental. I trust them to do things for me, but sometimes they don't follow through. I rely on them for tasks like communicating with friends and family, learning about issues in the world, sharing information, enjoying movies and music, and any number of other things.

But my internet is slow, and recently has failed altogether at times. My printer is no longer on speaking terms with my laptop, nor the household computer! My ipod has frozen. My television only likes certain remote controls and needs to be moved depending on which channel we want to watch. My radio likes to sit crookedly or else it crackles and the antenna actually makes it worse! I was even rejected by the family car yesterday when it refused to turn on so I could go home!! I sat in the car park talking to the stubborn car, imploring it that the key could and would turn, and the car start! ...eventually it did work, but not after a long struggle! (ok, enough ranting!)

The sad thing is I don’t think I am alone in being disappointed in technology failing me. We continue to increase our use and hence reliance on technology. And when it stalls, or slows or stops, we panic! We don’t know how to live without it, myself included! Of course, there are some great things about technology; I’m not denying that, I couldn’t become a real Luddite (someone who opposes technical or technological change)!

Essentially, I just don't put as much of my hopes and expectations on technology anymore. They can be unreliable. (doesn't give me much hope as I step into a plane!!!) But there is one place, where my trust and hope have not been misplaced, where I have not been let down, and that is with God.

This year I have learnt some amazing things about God's faithfulness! Even when I don't reach out to Him or put my trust in His abilities 24/7 like He asks me to, He still finds ways to care for me, to grow me, to bless me. He surrounds me with people who enjoy my company! And when I do feel lonely, He comforts me, and gives me peace and joy. He will never leave me stuck in a car park with no way home, or freeze when I need to hear His love for me. He doesn't make me jump through hoops, or stand on one leg to get answers. His only condition is that I trust in His unconditional love or grace.

I am glad that I have something that is much more reliable than technology in my life! Something I can trust, that doesn't let me down!

*Psalm 26:3