(ambassadorsforJesus5.com)

     Of late I have been contemplating the deep-seeded and far-reaching effects of sin. Although it may be more visibly apparent in the outbreaks of plagues, violence, and war, my current distress is fueled from a source closer to home, my online experience. Viruses, Worms, Identity Thieves and Spies are just some of the villains roaming this vast universe of links between humanity. They march on like a determined army looking to cease unconquered territory and cyberspace is just another frontier in this continuous battle between good and evil.

     And just like any other society looking to overcome evil with good, an impressive and formidable force has been generated to stop this mass invasion. Anti-Virus, Firewall, and Spyware Blaster are just some of the cyber-troops on a quest to bring an end to the madness. And dare we leave out that diligent email traffic-cop named Spam Control. If you have spent a decent amount of time in the immense highways and byways of email traffic chances are high that you have had your run-ins with him. This guy really takes his job seriously. I must commend him for his devotion and diligence, although I wish he’d lighten up. I’m tired of constantly being pulled over and asked for my I.D.

     On a good day he can be more of an irritating nuisance, yet on those other days he can get on my last nerve. What is it with his relentless need to verify that I am human? I mean for real, it is truly a sad day when computer software has taken on the task of verifying our humanity. Have we not learned anything from “The Matrix”?     


     And how about those “human verification exams” he so generously dishes out at the most inconvenient time?  I know you Yahoo members know what I’m talking about. Yes, that’s right, that clever way he has of using squiggly lines to disguise letters and words from Spammers. You know I rarely ever get it right on the first try. Looks more like a bowl of spaghetti to me.  I'm tired of squinting my eyes while asking myself, “Is that an ‘a’ or an ‘e’?” So I make my best educated guess and I hold my breath all the while hoping against hope that I got it right.

     Geesh, can they make it anymore frustrating?

     Good thing this isn’t baseball and the three strikes rule doesn’t apply because I have yet to master the fine art of spaghetti reading.

     Here’s a tip Yahoo, me no speak squiggly lines!

     And before you jump ahead of yourself by calling me presumptuous, I really don’t think I am in the minority here. Comprende?!

     For real, can be so infuriating.  I just want to screammm, “Come on already, I don’t have time for this!  I have places to go and people to see!  Give me the green light and let me through traffic!

     I’m human I tell ya!  I’m humannnnn!!!”

     By the time I’ve gone several rounds and passed their so-called exam, my internal temperature gage has sky-rocketed into the danger zone and I’m in desperate need of a time out before I blow a gasket.

     
     And then there's that Mailer Daemon? I’ve tried to rebuke that bad news bearer but it doesn’t always go so well. I wish Spam Control would go after him and get off my case, maybe then I can breeze through the immense highway of electronic mail without a hitch.

     Furthermore we have this merry-go-round of having to continuously download and update more sophisticated crime-fighting software to fend off the growing antics of this evil horde.  They are apt at adapting and evolving, and so the vicious cycle continues.  To compensate our hard-drives are continuously running in overdrive while weighed down by the huge loads they are asked to carry.   At best, the distractions slow them down.  At worst, they crash.  In the time between turning on my computer and it completing the horrendous task of uploading all my start up programs I can easily brush my teeth, drink my coffee, eat breakfast, shower, highlight and style my hair, call mom, with an impressive ten minutes to spare.

     Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating but you get the picture. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth it or do I take my chances and proceed in unarmed. Thank God we have been given a better choice.

     At times it can seem like there is a fine line between good and evil but there really isn’t. We may not always recognize who is for us and who is against us but in reality the difference is as day is to night. The illusion comes from both sides having their focus on us so we think the problem lies with them. And although they may be influential and resourceful contributors we must recognize that the real battleground is us and we fault by focusing more on them.

    The evil villains are mere instigators and opportunists looking for cracks in our structures and foundations.  And the formidable force is just doing its job by showing us that the problem really lies with our response to them. 

     Furthermore, our internal temperature gages are mere reflections of the software we have downloaded into the hard-drives of our minds and hearts. Sometimes we’ve overloaded them with too many things which result in heavy burdens that slow us down.  And if we continue to push forward we may also find ourselves overheating and headed for a crash.  But thanks be to God He has provided us an escape route and his name is Jesus Christ. He relates to our humanity and helps us in our weaknesses.  Jesus is the only program that we really need downloaded and uploaded to rise above it all and soar.

     So if you find yourself distracted and irritated from the simple devotion to our Lord, it is probably time clean out your hard-drive and return to the simplicity that is in Christ.

Matthew 11:28-30

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”