THERE I WAS SITTING IN COFFEE CAT checking my email when all of a sudden I received an Instant Message from Krista in Africa. Technology can be pretty cool at times. There I was checking email, beginning to write this installment of The Shepherd’s Staff, and chatting with my Peace Corps daughter thousands of miles and eight time zones away, pretty amazing stuff. Being able to chat with her brought me joy and made me thankful for the technology I possessed.
When I think about it, all this Instant Messaging stuff is really nothing new. This kind of communication has been available to us since the beginning of time. We have always possessed the “technology” to “chat” with God at any time and at any place. While working or resting, walking or driving, splitting wood or washing windows, we can be in an instant conversation with the creator of the universe. How cool is that?
The Apostle Paul admonishes us to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Note the modifiers in this passage: always, continually, all. The activities of joy, prayer, and thankfulness, are to part of our everyday experience, all day long. As we move though our daily lives we are to be constantly “online” with the Lord. Always ready to enter into that ongoing conversation with Him that allows for us to know joy and to be thankful in all circumstances.
It’s time to log-on and get connected.