Apple iPad Event (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Have you ever thought that computer programming is similar to life? No? Oh, right.
Well, anyway: one of the most basic computer programming concepts is the IF-THEN statement. IF [I click the ‘Start’ picture] THEN [open the menu]. And I think that we all do this with life as well, just in a slightly different way:
IF [I got married] THEN [I’d be happy]
IF [I get the new iPad] THEN [I’ll feel fulfilled]
IF [we get pregnant] THEN [I’ll know God loves me]
IF [I earned more] THEN [I’d give more to the church]
That old phrase ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’ is so true, isn’t it? I’m out at work all day and it’s far too easy for me to think how great it would be to just be at home with my son on maternity leave…but I’m sure that Anna could very easily feel similarly about me, the guy who abandons her every morning and just relaxes with no screaming baby and surroundings that aren’t our flat!
I’ve just quit my job to take a new one, and I’ve had to be careful not to leave just because IF [I get a new job] THEN [I’ll be happier at work]! Thankfully, the Bible has some useful guidance on what our attitude should be:
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)
It’s right to be discontent with injustice, but are you content with the grass on your side of the fence? Or do you find it too easy to slip into the IF-THEN mentality?
Let’s commit together to take our eyes off our circumstances and fix them on Jesus.
