I spent two hours printing off the 310 page study guide with a 67 page accompanying student guide. The printer jammed multiple times resulting in blurred images, double pages, and print streaks down the pages instead of words. Having to reprint multiple pages meant I ran out of paper several times. But in the end I had it! My morning's masterpiece. I felt a great sense of accomplishment when I finally jumped in the car to head to the print shop, with my masterpiece in hand.
Entering the print shop, I was overwhelmed by the crowd of people attempting to get their documents printed. There's no order, line, or number. It's a free for all, where the first come is the first served. People cut in front of you, push you to the side, and elbow you. In brilliant fashion I elbowed my way to the front all the while being careful to protect my masterpiece.
The man behind the counter asked me what I needed. "FIVE copies each of these books, bound, and with a plastic cover," I responded as I showed him the fruit of my brilliant idea. He just stared at me. I thought maybe he hadn't understood me correctly. So I repeated myself again wondering if I had mixed up a French word somewhere.
The gentleman helping me continued to look at me in disbelief. "This will take a really long time," he finally muttered. "Don't you have the digital files?" Of course, I have the digital files, but that isn't the point. I spent two solid hours battling the printer.
As I looked around it suddenly occurred to me: I was the only person in the entire shop who actually had paper in their hands. All the other customers around me where handing the various sales reps flash drives. "Where am I?" I thought to myself. "Madagascar has jumped into the 21st century and left me in the dust."
Within moments of retracting my preposterous pile of papers and pulling the appropriate digital files off my laptop, the work began. The service rep had a smile on his face keenly aware that I had just learned a valuable lesson.
Sometimes I wonder if there is spiritual parallel to such incidents. Could it be that at times we are so busy trying to get God to do things our way, to fit into our agenda, our well-thought out strategy, and brilliant plan that we actually miss out on what He is doing? I find so many believers who derive their sense of satisfaction and identity from working really really hard for the Lord.
Working hard is good; don't misunderstand me, but not when it's fueling our own sense of pride, ego, and self-satisfaction. That's spiritual arrogance; not servanthood. I think many wear themselves out spiritually because they are too proud to seek the Lord and get His help and advice. "Too simple!" they chime. "After all, I know a thing or two and have a good sense of how this needs to be done." All the while I wonder if the Lord has a look of disbelief on His face, "Just how complicated do you want to make this?"
"God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble." I Peter 5:5b. Is it time to get out the spiritual flash drive?
