As I referenced in my last blog post, I just returned from an eleven day trip to Turkey. Exceeded only by Israel and Jordan in the number of Biblical sites it contains, Turkey is replete with places visited by the early Apostles, most notably John and Paul.
As we trekked along in the footsteps of these early believers, I snapped pictures until my fingers were sore! In fact, I snapped so many pictures that my phone ran completely out of storage. And the effects were noticeable.
Not that I did not have plenty of warning. Each day, toward the end of the trip, my Android device would politely remind me that it was nearing its capacity. And each day in turn, I dutifully ignored these warnings and kept piling up the pictures.
By the time I had arrived back in the good old USA, my phone told me in no uncertain terms that it had had enough! After notifying me that my storage was full, I then told me that certain functions had been disabled and would not resume capability until I got rid of some of the load of data (meaning pictures) that I had stored up.
For my part, I again dutifully ignored these warnings. But in short order, I realized my phone meant business. For all intents and purposes, it reverted to a dumb phone rather than a smart phone. It placed numerous apps on hold, ceased processing e-mails, and even notified me that texting was suspended!
Needless to say, at this point, it got my attention! As quick as I could get the chance, I unburdened myself of thousands and thousands of photos by moving them over to my laptop and then onto an external hard drive.
The result? Instantaneously, the phone rebounded! Unburdened by the excess of baggage it had been forced to carry, it sprang to life again! Apps, e-mails, text messages – they all began to function at normal levels once again!
As I have reflected on these things, I have been reminded of the admonition of God’s Word as found in Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1-3:
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In truth, if we are not careful, the process of living life can slowly but surely fill our hearts and minds with excess burdens that begin to weigh us down and hamper our ability to function as productively as God intends. On occasion, therefore, it behooves us to take a little time to unburden ourselves by clearing out the clutter and freeing ourselves up!
My little experience with my phone has reminded me that it may be time for some spring cleaning - not only for my house, but for my life! And I intend to spend some time re-prioritizing and simplifying as a result.
Perhaps you could benefit from a similar process. If so, then remember, my friend: it’s entirely okay on occasion to hit the delete key and send something to the recycle bin! Trust me; I've already been doing it. And believe me, it feels good! So why not try it? You might just be glad you did!
SCRIPTURE SOURCE: http://biblehub.com/niv/hebrews/12.htm.
As we trekked along in the footsteps of these early believers, I snapped pictures until my fingers were sore! In fact, I snapped so many pictures that my phone ran completely out of storage. And the effects were noticeable.
Not that I did not have plenty of warning. Each day, toward the end of the trip, my Android device would politely remind me that it was nearing its capacity. And each day in turn, I dutifully ignored these warnings and kept piling up the pictures.
By the time I had arrived back in the good old USA, my phone told me in no uncertain terms that it had had enough! After notifying me that my storage was full, I then told me that certain functions had been disabled and would not resume capability until I got rid of some of the load of data (meaning pictures) that I had stored up.
For my part, I again dutifully ignored these warnings. But in short order, I realized my phone meant business. For all intents and purposes, it reverted to a dumb phone rather than a smart phone. It placed numerous apps on hold, ceased processing e-mails, and even notified me that texting was suspended!
Needless to say, at this point, it got my attention! As quick as I could get the chance, I unburdened myself of thousands and thousands of photos by moving them over to my laptop and then onto an external hard drive.
The result? Instantaneously, the phone rebounded! Unburdened by the excess of baggage it had been forced to carry, it sprang to life again! Apps, e-mails, text messages – they all began to function at normal levels once again!
As I have reflected on these things, I have been reminded of the admonition of God’s Word as found in Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1-3:
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In truth, if we are not careful, the process of living life can slowly but surely fill our hearts and minds with excess burdens that begin to weigh us down and hamper our ability to function as productively as God intends. On occasion, therefore, it behooves us to take a little time to unburden ourselves by clearing out the clutter and freeing ourselves up!
My little experience with my phone has reminded me that it may be time for some spring cleaning - not only for my house, but for my life! And I intend to spend some time re-prioritizing and simplifying as a result.
Perhaps you could benefit from a similar process. If so, then remember, my friend: it’s entirely okay on occasion to hit the delete key and send something to the recycle bin! Trust me; I've already been doing it. And believe me, it feels good! So why not try it? You might just be glad you did!
SCRIPTURE SOURCE: http://biblehub.com/niv/hebrews/12.htm.