A Lesson from Kindle

 I really enjoy my Kindle. Whether you are a fellow Kindle user or a fan of the Barnes and Noble version, the Nook, e-readers have become a significant part of our technological culture. I have to confess I was one of those naysayers who felt that e-readers were an assault on the good old fashioned paperback or hard cover book. But the reality for an avid reader like myself is there is not enough room in my house to keep adding bookcases. So after consulting with a few of my friends who were already "converts" to e-readers, I decided to take the plunge. My husband bought me a Kindle for Christmas and it is one of the best gifts (after Jesus) that I have received. The marvelous thing about the Kindle is the ease and immediate download of books. No hassle, no fuss. You look at your choices whether a book, magazine, etc., choose your title, and press the "buy" button. Within seconds you have your purchase literally at your fingertips. The other beautiful thing is the cost of each book is minimal with no shipping or handling charges. Recently as I watched my latest book purchase download it struck me that while technology is a wonderful thing it has its limits. As much as I marvel at what appears to be this "magical" transfer from cyber space to my e-reading device, I know that any thing can go wrong in the process.  Some mechanical glitch could prevent the download. My sister-in-law recently had her Kindle stop working properly and had a struggle getting her problem corrected even with the help of the technical support  site. And of course in time, like my bookcases, my Kindle will run out of space to store books. How very opposite that is in our relationship with God. When we accept Christ as Savior, we marvel at how the Holy Spirit instantly comes to dwell within us. No hassle, no fuss, no shipping or handling charges. And the price has already been paid through the shed blood of Christ. There is nothing that can interfere with our receiving God's free gift. No mechanical glitches. Moreover, we don't have to worry about ever running out of room in terms of the things God teaches us. We will never be able to exhaust His grace and love. It is eternal. So unlike my Kindle that one day will become unreliable and "forsake" me, God promises, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) The next time you find yourself enraptured by the latest and greatest technological toy, remember, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin." (Exodus 34:6-7a)  He is the only One who is constant and reliable all the time.
Many Blessings in Christ!
Pastor Sheree