I had a MacBook Air sitting unused in my closet for several years. I have always been a PC person, so I totally avoided this Apple contraption because I didn't understand how to operate it. I was frustrated every time I tried to use it.
A friend of mine needed a laptop for his children, who are being homeschooled. I thought I could donate my old Apple to them. The only problem was, I couldn't even get into the computer, I was totally locked out.
After spending about 45 minutes with an AppleCare team member over the phone, we decided to wipe the whole computer clean and start over. The Apple technician was so patient with me. I didn't know how to do anything concerning his requests to get my old MacBook Air working again. He had to get connected to my phone and remotely guide me through my camera so that He could help me in my technical fiasco.
I was totally helpless! His patient care and intervention to resurrect my MacBook Air was amazing! He could diagnose the problem instantly inside my laptop--apart from my inability to know how to use it. I really don't understand how he didn't get frustrated with me! The name "AppleCare" was evident during this whole episode of my seeking help from this technician.
After about an hour and a half, I was able to enter a new password, and my laptop was ready to be gifted to kids who could use it.
I am just like that old MacBook Air. We can be so stubborn with regards to our life choices and doing things our own way that we shut ourselves down to the outside world, and especially to God.
We get so entrenched in our sinful ways that are so dangerous. Apart from the Creator, we are helpless to operate our lives the way we were designed to live. The Bible says that when we were yet without strength, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6).
What wonderful intervention and care! His desire is for us to be forgiven so that we can enter a new quality of life that lasts forever, and escape eternal judgment. He is the gentle, patient Savior who is willing to walk with us through this hard life, and He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5)!
Because of our sin problem, we are separated from our Creator, just like my MacBook Air was shut down from me. My laptop needed to be cleaned out to start fresh. We also need salvation so we can be cleaned up and made new on the inside.
The Lord Jesus said that we cannot see the kingdom of God unless we are born again (John 3:3). Only when this new birth happens can we be useful to God concerning His plan for our lives. He has even given us an instruction manual-which is far better than an AppleCare technician-that shows us how to make life work: It's called the Bible!
God is so patient with us, despite that fact that we love our own sinful darkness instead of turning to the wonderful light of His Word. His Word says, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
The Lord is waiting for people to turn to Him, despite their rebellion, and is even working to get their attention at the same time. I reached out to this technician to help me because I was at the end of myself, but we all need to reach out to God! We need to come to the end of ourselves and realize that apart from the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior, there is no real life, and there is no everlasting life in Heaven!
We need to cry out to Him and trust in the finished work that the Lord Jesus accomplished at the cross. God's Word says, "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other" (Isaiah 45:22).
Please don't shut yourself down from God! He loves you and wants to save you from the control of sin in your life and from the judgment your sins deserve. Will you turn to His Son today? He really does care for you! You can believe God; it's impossible for Him to lie. First Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all of your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
Becky Kew is a distributer of Intertribal Life newspaper and has been involved in First Nations Ministry for over 20 years. She can be reached at Beckykew@outlook.com.
