Had I known how boring my computer class would be, I would certainly have made another choice. By the end of the semester, I remained computer illiterate, but there was one class in particular I will never forget.
I blame it all on peer pressure. Several of my friends talked me into taking “Introduction to Computers,” although the thought of using an elective on a science class made me feel ill. My suspicions proved correct, and we passed the hours in miserable boredom. My friend Ashley occasionally skipped altogether.
In an attempt to win our loyalty, the professor decided to add each of us to MSN Instant Messenger, so that she might connect with us outside of class. She remained signed in at all times, even while class was in session. I remember being amused while she lectured as my eyes wandered to the bottom right corner of the PowerPoint screen and noticed her active Messenger icon. I wondered to myself what she might do if someone messaged her during class. I soon had my answer.
We were all startled when a loud beep sounded to alert her of an instant message and I sat up excitedly. If only Ashley were here to see this! Suddenly my heart stopped: The message was from Ashley. The thought of Ashley reminding our professor of her absence, however, was not what troubled me. Flashing in the middle of the screen, in bright pink letters, for the whole class behold, was the message: “Hey Mike!” I sank down in my seat to the curious murmurs of “Who’s Mike?” To my horror, our professor’s sense of humor led her to continue the conversation for several minutes before graciously signing off. I still hate MSN Messenger.
Am I caught by surprise when God speaks? How hard is it for Him to get my attention? Tragically, I often walk through life without ever bothering to ask God for His opinion. It doesn’t occur to me that the Creator of the universe might have an important word for me to hear. If Jesus is truly the Lord of my life, He should not have to fight to get my attention; He should already have it. When God looks at the world, He sees the big picture. Although we live in the temporary and are often caught up in our own individual lives, God is not limited in this way. He sees all the pain, all the confusion, all the evil and all the need in the world, and He is looking for Christians who will step up. When God surveys His people, do His eyes fall on me as one who is waiting and listening? Sadly, God’s silence in my life often reveals an apathetic heart and unhearing ears on my part. A word from almighty God is not a trivial thing. Am I listening?
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8
Mike Blackaby is a 23 year old student & attends Southeastern Seminary in North Carolina. Mike loves to play music, loves to snowboard, play hockey, and cheers for the Colorado Avalanche. He is terrified of spiders, but loves reading fantasy novels, watching movies, taking road trips, building camp fires, and will do any roller coaster if someone goes with him. You can contact him via Facebook.