Press Pause

I feel that many would agree that perhaps one of the most amazing devices developed in recent years is the TIVO, or DVR.  Basically it allows the user to record, rewind, and even pause live television.  Recent studies showed that nearly 85% of home owners had at least one TIVO or DVR unit in their homes.

    

     At first I was unsure of how effective this little device would be, but after talking to soo many satisfied users – especially the ones that were thrilled that commercials no longer have to watched, thereby not interrupting the show they were watching – I can clearly see its usefulness.  So DVR’s came to the rescue because you can record something with a simple push of the button and then whenever a commercial comes on you simply push another button to fast forward or another button to skip the commercial all together.

     During sporting events I have seen people use the ability to pause and rewind live television.  It is pretty amazing to be able to back things up when questioning a call by the ref or umpire; or to see an amazing catch; or to see the final shot at the buzzer!

    Yes, this little device has been a welcomed addition, yet it also serves to remind me that “what would our lives be like if we could pause, rewind, and even fast forward our lives”?  Hollywood even made a movie based on this idea.  The movie was Click and basically this work-a-holic father was given a remote that allowed him to pause, rewind, and even fast forward his life.  He had a wife, children, family, and friends, but he was also frustrated by his lack of success which fed his desire to work harder, longer hours to make the boss happy in order to receive promotions, bonuses, and anything else along the way – yet losing his family in the process.

     The movie had a few moments of laughter, but in all honesty it provided a serious look into some of the problems we face today.  Jesus said,

  

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

Luke 9:25

     Now, you may have read or heard that verse many times prior to reading it in this article, but what I want you to do right now is to take out your life remote and push the pause button.  O.K., now that you have done that I want you to really read that verse and this time place your name in it so that becomes more personable.  Like this…

“Rick, what good is it for YOU to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit your very soul?

 (If you ever want to get a strong mental image of a particular text, just place your name in it and make it more personal.)

     Now that you have been resting yourself on pause and you have really read this verse begin to ask yourself a very simple question – why do I do what I do?  Is it for my husband or wife?  Is it for the kids? Have I prayed and asked God what He wants me to do?  Or is it all because I want more money, a bigger office, a loftier title, or respect and honor?  You see, there have been times when I have actually hit the rewind on my LIFE-REMOTE because I missed something and wanted to try and recapture it.  Have you been there and done that?  Maybe…or maybe it was too late to look back.

     I want to pass on a passage of scripture that really identifies what a happy life is and it doesn’t involve things, money, or a career. So, press your pause button again and read I Peter 3:10-12. See below in the New Living Translation:

“If you (your name) want to enjoy life
    and see many happy days,
keep your (your name) tongue from speaking evil
    and your (your name)  lips from telling lies.
¹¹ Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
¹² The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
    and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
    against those who do evil.          

     

     You really can’t fast forward your life to take a quick glimpse at your future, but you can rewind your past and get some perspective and wisdom to better enable you to live in the present.  Take time to press pause daily.  Our lives can get busy – too busy – even doing good things.  As Charles Spurgeon once said,

“We must every now and then cry ‘halt!’ and serve the Lord by holy inactivity and consecrated leisure.”

           

   

Less of me More of Him,

Rick