Frustrated by the mysteries of technology, but amazed by the saving hand of God

Do the mysteries of life ever astound you? Shock you? Frustrate you? Recently my wife and I have had some (ahem) interactions with the intricacies and mysteries of technology. Frustration probably begins to describe our reactions.

In December, I bought Kathy a television for her sewing room for Christmas. This was a small, new, TV which was supposed to “stream” so that she could watch shows while sewing and quilting. I mounted the TV on the wall without any trouble. But, when we tried to connect the television to our Wifi we had no luck. I called our internet provider and their technician suggested I press the re-start button on our wifi-extender, but then, the extender could not be found on the Wifi search. The next suggestion of the man on the phone was that our relatively new router might have some issues. The technical support person suggested a few tests there, along with also pushing the re-set button on the router. Then we lost all wifi, and the downstairs television didn’t work either. So the technical assistant checked our modem, asking for the password. Somehow, after trying the password, we no longer had any internet service to the house at all. We went from troubles with one device, to no wifi signal while still having an internet signal, to having no internet at all! Frustration well describes our reaction. After a day or so of back and forth phone calls, and some new equipment, we got things up and running and the new TV even worked. But, I can share that there were some mumbles under my breath. And, I realized just how little I know about my internet, and how big a mystery computer technology is to me!

Also, Kathy and I recently took a road trip. We visited a favorite spot, Unicoi State Park in North Georgia, along with family, where we celebrated Kathy’s 65th birthday. That was a truly enjoyable time of family togetherness. From there we visited old friends in Hickory, NC, Dave and Kathy Ludwig. What a great opportunity to catch up with long-time friends. Finally, on the way home we stopped to see a friend we have had in Chattanoogo for 45 years. After all this visiting, we drove toward our Florida home.

Now here comes the frustration. Have you driven through Atlanta recently? We hit a traffic jam north of Atlanta that our google maps said was 12 minutes long. I think we lost an hour to an hour and a half of time in that one delay. So, since our map “ap” said there was a delay of over an hour going through Atlanta, we drove the outer belt to miss that trouble. When we hit what was supposed to be another “8 minute” delay, but were in stop and go traffic, we took the detour suggested by Google Maps. This detour took us down two lane roads, which at times turned into dirt roads. However, others were doing the same thing. At one point, stopped on a two lane dirt road, we could count 19 cars and semi-trucks in front of us, and 10 cars behind us. The maps ap was correct concerning the fact that there were traffic delays. But, the time estimates and the suggested detours left something to be desired. We finally made it back to our Gainesville home about 2 ½ hours later than the original projection. Again, frustration begins to describe our interaction with technology. But there is also the humbling realization of how little I personally know.

However, as I grow in years, I have at times come to actually appreciate that I do not know everything. I’m glad that my knowledge is not all there is to know about the world, our universe, and our Lord. I don’t want my lack of knowledge and wisdom to be all there is. I’m glad that God is in charge!

On February 28 I had different kind of experience with mystery and awe. I was fishing late on a warm Florida spring evening. Because of the late hour I had to turn on the lights for my boat to return to the dock. I drove my boat onto the trailer in the dark. But, as I stood beside the quiet lake, my eyes looked up and I was amazed by a sky full of stars. Away from the light pollution of the city, the Milky Way stood out. This beautiful view caused me to wonder again, this time about the wise and powerful hand which created the universe. God created all that wonder and beauty. . . yet He knows and cares for me! What an amazing, wonderful, mystery!

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul is led by God to consider the wonders of salvation. Do you remember Paul’s God-inspired words?

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34)

God and His ways are beyond our understanding!

And, as Peter writes about the mysteries of God’s saving love in Jesus, he shares with us these words about the prophets of old, and the angels of heaven. “10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.” (1 Peter 1:10-12) I am not the only one amazed by the loving, creative, and saving hand of God. Even the angels in heaven are amazed!

How about you? What depths of mystery frustrate you? Or amaze you? Have you stopped to thank the Lord that He is in charge of saving the world, through the unexpected suffering and resurrection of His very Son? Are you led, in awe, to thank and praise God for His power and love?