A MAC for Me and A MAC for You

December 2007

I don’t want a MAC computer. I never have and don’t feel like I ever will. I’ve been a PC girl since day one of my computer-using life (which, by the way, was well into my college career) and it works for me. I know that it is more susceptible to viruses and that supposedly Apple computers are more user-friendly, but I just don’t want one. I’m settled, comfortable, and at ease with the style of the PC. I’m just a writer not a graphic designer. I don’t need all of the Apple computer’s fancy glitz and glamorous techno-programs to just write books, prepare for messages, and send an occasional email. Technology is not my thing and neither is change. Advancements make my head hurt.

My husband has been trying to persuade me . . . for years. He bought a one-way ticket into Apple land a few years ago and has made it clear that he has no intention of ever returning. Every time I’ve needed a new computer in our decade of marriage, I’ve watched my technologically engaged husband’s eyes light up with sheer glee at the prospect of invading a computer store and coming home with a prize for his wife. Each time he has triumphantly returned with a new shiny MAC computer. The only time I’ve ever see him look more proud was when he brought his two boys home from the hospital; and the difference is only minor. This man loves technology and the new and improved stuff makes him happy. New phones, new software, new capabilities; the mere mention of such things make his heart start to flutter with excitement. Every time he triumphuntly entered our home with one of these computers his enthusiasm has been cut short by my disapproving nod and an insistence that he return that wretched piece of hardware immediately.

I wish I could get him to understand that I don’t want a MAC. It is not because I have anything against them. Everyone that I know who has switched over to this insanely successful line of computers has said the learning curve during the transition was nothing to be compared with the sheer joy they’ve experienced in using it. I know that MACs are good computers but I’m settled, comfortable, and at ease with what I have. I’ve learned where every comfortable little button is that I most need to use. Toggling from one program to the other is mindless work for me now. I’ve grown used to Bill Gates’ inventions as they are used with this type of hardware, and I’m happy.

Jerry isn’t.

He says that I just don't have a clue what I'm missing and that I need to move forward into the 21st century. So recently when my perfectly good, completely wonderful PC was broken by my three year old when he jumped off of my bed during a family pillow fight and landed right smack dab on my laptop, Jerry took this as his blessed cue to "help" me get it together once again. My son's heavy landing cracked the computer and did something so damaging to the hard drive that the man at the “fix-it” computer place down the street said that it would cost an arm, leg, and birthright of my first born to take care of it. Jerry decided that spending that type of money on a old computer is ridiculous when that money could just be applied to a new one -- a MAC.

I should have known that something was up the day he left the house, telling me he just needed to run a quick “errand” and that he would return soon. There was a skip in his step and a glimmer in his eye that should have given me a clue about his misguided intentions. Upon his return, I saw a bright white and silver bag with a drawstring for handles but I didn’t think anything about it. Yet, later that night when I leaned over to give him a goodnight kiss, I saw it in his eyes. His pupils had metamorphosed into the shape of apples. I’d found him out, but it was too late; he’d already bought me a brand new shiny Macbook.

Have I already mentioned that I don’t want one?

I’m typing this article from my new MAC. He’s done sufficient begging and pleading to convince me to try it for 30 days. He firmly believes that if I will just try it -- something I’ve never done -- I will not only like it but I will never want to return to the PC. He says that just sticking with it for a little while will make me become a believer. It’s day five. Whether or not he’s right, remains to be seen.

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“I’ve come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” (Jesus’ words in John 10:10)

It’s not that the religious leaders to whom the Messiah spoke these words didn’t have some sort of life already. Indeed, they did. These were the reputable “high society” folks with loyal followers and admirers. Despite this, Jesus looks them squarely in the face of their seemingly satisfying religiously focused existence and offers them something more, something different.  He wanted for them to have a more enhanced version of life as they knew it. He had come to set up a new standard of excellent, full, complete living. He invaded the scene of the Middle Eastern land of Philistine with all of the vengeance of a revolutionary proclaiming with boldness that he’d come to deliver a better way for all. In fact, He Himself was the better way.  If they would just put down the ways they had grown comfortable with, He would give them something that would require a little transition time but would be well worth the cost of the change.

Some listened; most didn’t.

Some engaged; most recoiled.

Some accepted the invitation; others settled for the comfort and ease of normalcy.

So the Pharisees went on for years living a regular, normal, malnourished version of life. Bogged down with the internal viruses of sin and the shame that always flanks it.  Plagued with a need to “do” more to gain acceptance and divine approval, they forwent abundance and a fullness of spirit that would overflow and flood their everyday living.  Worst of all, they thought that their version of life was superior to anything that could be offered to them. They were blind to their own great need.

Jesus knew exactly what my husband knew; some folks just don’t have a clue:

I’ve come into this world so that those who are blind (unaware of their spiritual need) can begin to see clearly and live abundantly by accepting my invitation. And that those, like you, who think they can see (pridefully think they are self-sufficient) may become blind and needy." [paraphrase of John 9:39]

In many ways, I’ve done the same as these first century people. Unlike the religious leaders to whom Jesus’ spoke, I believe that Christ is the Messiah, but similarly to them, I’ve thought that I could see clearly and accurately when I am really indeed short-sighted if not altogether blind. Thinking that my way of living, worshipping, and experiencing God was superior to anything else that could be offered to me, I’ve inadvertently turned my back on His invitation to extravagant living. I’ve just gotten so comfortable and at ease with life as it has always been lived and religion as I was told it was supposed to be engaged in. Church as usual, program as expected -- nothing extraordinary or expected to be. I’ve been fine with that. I mean …  it’s worked hasn’t it? I’ve been living an ok existence. You too? Are you satisfied?

Me neither.

Well, I’ve got a suggestion for you: a techno-colored existence with spiritual sight to see that which is not visible, hear that which is not audible, and believe that which is truly unbelievable. It’s an invitation to live beyond yourself. There are gifts that the Spirit has come to give and empower you to utilize for the edification of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12). The Spirit’s fruit are ready to be groomed, grown, and fed to hungry souls around you (Gal. 5). There is a participation in the miraculous that you’ve got the right to experience and an encounter with the supernatural waiting for you . . . waiting for me.

With the dawning of a new year, why not just try it. Give it 30 days before you decide it’s too charismatic for your tastes and you trade it in for the mundane church or tradition as usual. Courageously set aside the comfortable PC (plans and customs) you’ve been using and allow Him to introduce you to something that’s going to take a little transition time but will be well worth it.  Open yourself up to an experiential relationship with Lord through the Holy Spirit that will set the dry bones of your lack-luster religious life to dancing for joy. Just try it. I know you’ll like it.

I’ve been at it for a while now and He was right all along. I should have given abundance a whirl a little bit sooner. He’s made a believer out of me . . . twice. First for salvation and now for abundance living, and I’ve decided I’ll never go back.