My printer is broken. It comes on when I push the on button. It receives the print commands from my computer. It even prints beautiful pictures… if you can get it to feed the paper. That’s the part that is broken. The part that pulls in the paper. So, I am spending too much time these days trying to push the paper into the printer at just the right time so that it will print.
You might be wondering why I don’t just get another printer. I have enough money. Or I could even put it on my Christmas wish list. The problem is not the ability to get another printer. The problem is the inability to use all the extra ink I recently purchased, just before the printer broke. If I get a new printer, I’ll have a whole stash of useless ink. And that bugs me.
I hate wasting things. Wasting money, time, or opportunities. Sometimes I am haunted by the thought “What if I am wasting my life?” I don’t know where the right balance is for being content in my current state, and pressing on, striving to win the race. They often seem like opposing lifestyles to me. But if I take a bigger picture view, I must say that I see most errors occurring on the side of striving and pushing to get ahead.
The Bible is full of examples of people that screwed things up by NOT being content; by striving to make things happen instead of waiting on God. Abraham, Moses, King Saul, King David, to name just a few. Meanwhile, God tells us in his word, “Be still and know that I am God.” I need to be content to follow God, moving, or waiting, at His direction. Pushing the paper before the printer is ready just makes a crumpled mess.
“He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!” The Lord who commands armies is on our side! The God of Jacob is our protector! (Selah). – Psalms 46:10-11 NET