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perspective classic

 
 
Find yourelf in the picture.
Find God there.
keytruths.comJune 3, 2010
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Perspective Classics are previously published Perspective columns that hold insights for today.
The original version of this column was published in April 2007.
Techno-question 
by Deborah P. Brunt
Deborah BruntIn the world of techno-gadgets, what do we desperately need but rarely value?
 
We can argue all day about whether we actually need techno-gadgets and, if so, which tops the "Most Needed" list. But that's not what I'm asking. Maybe a story would explain.
 
One day, I walked into a cell phone store with a mission and walked out with a new Blackberry. Mission accomplished? Yes - and no. I had what I'd come to get, but didn't yet know how to work it.
 
My new cell phone/mini-computer had so many functions I didn't know what to do. Along with learning how to make phone calls, I intended to explore other ways to tap into the power of this technological wonder.
 
That evening at home, I walked through the "setup wizard," read the "Getting Started Guide" and even, as the sales person had recommended, visited a website with tutorials.
 
Hours passed, sometimes pleasant, often frustrating. Refusing to be overwhelmed, I pressed on.
 
Then, it happened. I was agonizing over whether to record a new voice mail message. A recorded female voice had just offered me three options, none of which sounded correct. While I pondered, she asked, "Are you there?" - and began repeating the three choices. In desperation, I hit the "escape" key.
 
Suddenly, the two-inch screen dissolved into a series of lines resembling college-ruled notebook paper. Then, the image rolled a couple of times - and quit working.
 

Had I killed my new phone? What button would revive it? Would mouth-to-speaker resuscitation help?
 
As I pondered these and other questions, my new gadget rang. Pushing the appropriate key, I answered and talked. Then, hanging up, I dialed our home phone number. It rang.
 
My blackberry still worked. Indeed, I suspect that every function still worked - except one. Yet without that one, I couldn't access the other functions. I couldn't even tell whether the thing was turned on. Alas, still in its infancy, my display had died.
 
In the world of techno-gadgets, what do we desperately need but rarely value? I'd suggest: The screen.
 
The screen makes what is invisible, visible. It bears images showing what's inside. It accesses significant, multi-faceted power. Without the display on that screen, the power can't be tapped nor the purposes accomplished.
 
So now, I'm asking: In the spiritual world - the world many scoff and we Western Christians fear, yet all of us find ourselves inexorably drawn toward - what do we desperately need but rarely value?

 
Jesus prayed for it just before going to the cross. In John 12:27-28,
Sunrisehe said, "Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? 'Father, get me out of this'? No, this is why I came in the first place. I'll say, 'Father, put your glory on display.'"
 
Desperately, we need displays of glory. Glory makes what is invisi
ble, visible. It reveals God - not who we've thought him to be, but who he really is. Glory accesses his power and purposes.
 

Repeatedly, we've seen displays of evil. Stark images showing depravity's power are forever engraved on all our minds. Week after week, we watch wickedness destroy whom it will in our communities and around the world - as TV screens, computer screens and even smart phone screens display it.
 
By comparison, the power, truth and goodness of God seem weak, tepid, even absent. Is God missing in action? Or is he waiting for us to ask what Jesus asked?
 
"Father, put your glory on display."
 
When my blackberry screen died, I didn't just make do, trying as best I could to access a few basic functions. I refused to settle for something that promised a display, that required a display, but didn't give it. Immediately, I asked for - and received - a Blackberry with screen that could be seen.
 
Now, repeatedly, I see and access what I never would have believed possible.
 . . . . . . .
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