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.
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
