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Daily Wisdom
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Response Time - October 31, 2008

Years ago, it was the words "System X" in the lower right hand corner of the computer screen. More recently it is a small symbol shaped like an hourglass where the pointer should be (which is cute, but still annoying). Both symbols are trying to communicate to me the same thing:

- the Computer is busy on other things at the moment
- the Computer cannot be bothered with my request right now
- the Computer (and therefore the user) is experiencing slow response time

"Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond..." Jeremiah 17:23

Picture yourself as a computer in the hands of an all-powerful God. He has designed you from the chip up. He knows your inner workings. He knows your abilities and limitations. He has trained you, developed you, tested you, discipled you and now is ready to begin using you for His purposes. He issues a simple command to you and you respond with an hourglass.

- Hold on for a minute God, I'm busy with other things, but I'll process that request as soon as I get a slice of time available.

- Just a second God, I've got to check my programming to see if I can really accomplish that request. I may need more training, additional programming or maybe even a seminary education.

- I'll be right with you God, but I need to scan the internet chat rooms to see how others will respond if I execute this command.

Meanwhile, a patient God waits. Knowing that the sooner you respond, the sooner He can issue even more interesting, complex and challenging commands, if you would just get off square-one.

"But when God, Who set me apart from birth and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles... I went immediately..." Galatians 1:15-17

The computer industry calls it "Sub-Second Response Time," but what this means is that the computer returns the answer as soon as you issue the command. In the computer world, this is a good thing. In our world, this is a good thing as well.

- When the co-worker approaches you with a personal problem and you set aside time to listen.

- When the teenager calls to play basketball and you turn off the TV and put on your sneakers.

- When the burned out friend asks how you can keep your sanity in a crazy world and you admit that by yourself you cannot, then take the time to explain how Christ can calm a turbulent life.

- When the need arises, and you respond. Immediately. Without hesitation or distraction. The only pause is a pause to pray, thanking God for the opportunity. God has created you; trained you; empowered you. God has prepared you for the instructions He will give.

Let today be a day of "Sub-Second Response Time."

Contributed by Ellis Bush