Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
(Psalm 46.2-3 NRSV)

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A woman bought a piece of needlework at a craft fair. On it was stitched these words, "Prayer Changes Things." Proud of the handiwork, she hung it up above the fireplace in the family room. Several days later she noticed that it was missing. She asked her husband if he knew what had happened to it. "I removed it," he replied. "Don't you believe that prayer changes things?" she asked, mystified. He responded, "Yes, I do. I believe in prayer. In fact, I believe that it changes things. I just don't happen to like change, and so I took it down."

Some people don't like change. And the principle thing most people don't like to change is themselves.

Most of us resist change even when it is in our best interest. The standard typewriter keyboard is a good example of that. Have you ever noticed where the most frequently used keys are located? They're placed as far apart as possible. "The original purpose of this arrangement was to slow down typing speed. Keys on the machines of the 1800s used to jam if the typist went too fast. About 40 years ago, a keyboard called the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard was developed. On this keyboard, the most frequently used keys are in the home row, and the right hand does more of the work (56 percent) than the left. Tests show that typists can greatly increase their speeds (up to five times) with no increase in errors. Still, we labor on with a keyboard designed to be inefficient. Why? We don't like to change.

What is God calling you to change?

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Dear God, show me the things I need to change in my life, and give me the courage to change it. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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