August 11th, 2015 
dsisler
I am technology challenged. I try to stay on the cutting edge, but the more I try the more frustrated I become. This morning, all I can say is UGH!
I’m trying to get Windows 10 on my home computer. But in order to get this, there is a list of ten things I have had to do. Update, upgrade and prepare for this next best thing. I sure hope it’s worth the effort!
And I know the folks at Microsoft think they are helpful, but all they are doing is adding to my frustration. Their use of technological terms in their “help” section just makes me feel dumb. I don’t understand what they want me to do or even where to find what they’re asking me to find. Surely they know there are folks like me who need these help steps in simple terms. Step by step instructions on how to do what they consider to be a simple task.
I then realized that perhaps I do the same thing. I believe I make things more difficult or frustrating for people who aren’t on the same level of understanding as I am.
Take for instance Bible study. I have a system. I have used this system for years and years. But a brand new believer might be overwhelmed with the idea of opening the Bible, reading through a passage and saturating my mind and heart with the words and then waiting to see how God’s Spirit leads me to understanding. That could be difficult to understand.
Or what about prayer? The amount of time that I spend in prayer may be unfathomable to a new believer. They may only be able to experience short, quick prayers at the moment.
And what about our churchy words we use. Sanctification. Justification. Righteousness. Redemption. But even words like faith or glorify or blessed or worship could be difficult for some to understand. I’m not saying that we should toss these words out of our vocabulary, but what I am saying is that perhaps we should be prepared to share the meaning of these words as we communicate with new believers.
Can you explain sanctification? Or justification (and not just the little quip “just as if I’d never sinned”)? This just might be a good exercise for each of us as we set out in our world to make disciples. Let’s figure out how to make disciples with language they can understand. Let’s not use our “churchy” words. Let’s use our own words to share the Gospel message in a clear and understandable way.
I love Paul’s request for prayer in Colossians 4. This is definitely a great prayer request for each of us. “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” (Colossians 4:3-4 – NIV)
Paul hits it right on. We’ve got to figure out how to clear up the mystery and proclaim the message clearly. There are ways to accomplish this task and when God opens the doors, we need to be prepared.
I suspect I’ll get Windows 10 eventually. But I’ll tell you right now, I don’t believe it will be my doing. I believe someone else (my husband) will get it taken care of for me.
Friends, a light bulb has turned on for me. I must remember to approach my fellow believers in a way that is not above their understanding. I never want to make someone else feel dumb or inadequate or frustrated by complicating the simple truth of the Gospel. It’s been a good morning.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
