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Saturday, June 13, 2009

Upgrade




While downloading Internet Explorer 8 the other day on my computer, I was reviewing the touted enhancements, bug fixes, enhanced security and scads of new features in this new-and-improved version.

As I explored the new features, I kept thinking – “It’s about time they added that feature!” Visual searches, instant answers, smart-screen filter, view sites with ease, get things done faster, stay more secure, more functions, more security features, faster, easier, more, more, more …..

It all sounded so magnificent! Now I will certainly be able to get much more work done, and more efficiently at that!

Hmmmmm. Didn’t that very same thought run through my head with the release of Internet Explorer version 7 ….. and version 6….. and...?

That marketing crew at Microsoft sure does earn its keep. They’ve got us trained to start salivating at the very mention of an upgrade.

Isn’t it like that with everything we buy? It’s great when we first take it home from the store. We thought we wouldn’t be able to live without it. But within months - sometimes just days - it’s just not enough. If only it could do this. If only it had this feature. If only it was faster, less complicated. If only… Gotta get a better version.

Those guys at Microsoft are always looking to broaden the appeal of their products and have to work hard to keep releasing updates in order to keep us happy and continuing to buy and use their products. Better ways to accomplish tasks quicker and easier. Glitz and glamour. Bells and whistles. Features that you didn’t even know you needed are now things you can’t seem to live without. After a few years, the product has changed so much that the original is buried in the dust of progress.

Thank God He doesn’t have to update His Word to keep up with our everchanging circumstances. Rather than starting with a basic concept, then adding new features, building the product up, God’s Word is designed as complete and unchanging from the very beginning of time.

When we first explore, read and study the Bible, we are just scraping the surface. Too often, many Believers stop and camp right there, never getting beyond the top layer. They get just enough Bible to find salvation and redemption, the ten commandments, and the beatitudes. There is certainly nothing wrong with any of these things. But there is so much more waiting for the heart that wants more of Him.

It’s like an archeological dig. All of it is there already, we just have to dig to find out more. We don’t have to wait for the angels in programming to work the bugs out before the next level is released. It’s already there, waiting for us to desire the knowledge so much that we seek it out.

Archeological digs take months, sometimes years, to complete. There are weeks of painstaking, seemingly monotonous removal of earth – one teaspoon at a time – in order to uncover a small portion of the artifact. Among the diggers, there is exuberant celebration at these tiny-to-the-rest-of-the-world victories. What an unparalleled sense of wonder, awe and splendor they must experience when the dig is complete, the ancient artifact is recovered intact, cleaned up and ready to put on display.

We have the possibility for this type of mind-blowing, life-changing experience in our very laps.

Dig a little deeper. Layer upon layer. From glory to glory.

Instead of waiting impatiently for the next update to be released, it’s up to me to dig deeper, to explore with an open heart and the eyes of my soul. To get more, it’s up to me to pursue Him through His Word with all my might.

We could explore the rich depths of His Word for eternity and still never be able to grasp or understand it all, or use it up. His message of love and truth is infinite, will never need enhancements, bug-fixes, upgrades or updates. We will never stop discovering new information, new revelations, new nuggets, new encouragements, new treasures, new lifelines. We continue to find new features without downloading an upgrade or paying for the newest release. The deeper we delve into the Word and the very heart of God, the more wonder we experience and glory we uncover.

The Word of God: Deep enough for a scholar to explore for an eternity without exhausting the contents, yet simple enough for a child to grasp and embrace for a lifetime.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ (The Word, according to John 1:1) is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

2 comments:

  1. Great post! A pastor once said something that has stuck with me for years, "God will take you as deep as you want to go." We can scratch the surface or we can take a free fall into Him.

    I much prefer the free fall!

    ...my first stop by. I found you through The Ivy Path. Great blog!

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  2. Glad to see my friend Joanne stopped by...her blog is a real blessing.....Your comments are so true...I love the deep digging...only sometimes it reveals truths we must meet head on and confront... Your posts are great Kim, keep up the good work.

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