Automatic?

Recently, while waving my wet hand frantically under an "automatic" paper towel dispenser, a thought hit me. This was after I had waved said hands in a dizzying pattern trying to get the sink faucet to "automatically" dispense water to wash hands. This was after I had made my way from a stall where the toilet decided to "automatically" flush almost as soon as I stood up! This is opposed to the times where the toilet sometimes deceptively looks automatic or I wait or move around enough to make sure said toilet flushes before I remove myself from the stall. I would hate to leave a mess for someone else! side note: I have noticed everyone is not as worried about leaving a mess.

Maybe this is the reason for all the automation? If the item is cleaning itself, there SHOULD be less for a human to do, correct? Maybe that's the point of automation.....less work. AND for the most part? It usually accomplishes the task(s).

However, has our dependence on automation become a little too......automatic? Things that used to take SO much time and maybe even require a walk to get done (dishes, laundry)? Now we have dishwashers, washers, dryers and yes, even sinks, hand driers and toilets. In the whole scheme of life, therefore, we should have MORE time, right? I don't know about you, but I don't FEEL like I have more time.

Back to my epiphany at the paper towel dispenser: Is my faith becoming automatic too?

Lately, life has been even more busy than the "normal" busy I had kind of adjusted to. I haven't been to a church service in awhile. I have not written in my journal or on my blog. I have not opened my Bible. I have not said more than sentence prayers when things are not going as well as I think they should be going. I talk to others about life issues instead of going to God. I have gotten used to thinking that God will just automatically know what I need, when I need it and the best time to make that all happen.

I'm not hiding my frustration very well as I frantically keep trying to do life on my own. I don't have to find the secret pattern to make this work better. I don't have to wait. I don't have to handle my mess on my own. Neither do you.

Check your faith. Are you where you want to be? Time to take a little responsibility back and start working on that relationship! May we get to the point where turning to God first and our dependence becomes....automatic.

Isaiah 30:15-17 MSG [ God Takes the Time to Do Everything Right ] 

God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me— The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.