Inside Job

My need for change was obvious. I had been using my DOS based 386-SX computer for almost 5 years, and in computer years, that is an eternity. I set my mind toward accomplishing this change and it was easier than I thought. I was able to change my entire system with three simple actions:

I found a computer magazine that had an advertisement for an Intel Pentium System. I cut out the little logo that said "Intel Pentium Pro Inside" and I taped this logo over the old Model Number on my PC.

I found a training manual for Windows 95 that had a picture of the main screen in the Win95 environment. I cut out this picture and glued it to my monitor.

I went to the pet store and bought a small mouse and placed it in a cage next to my computer.

And just like that, I had a new computer with all the latest bells and whistles! (I also ran speaker wire from my stereo into my "A" Drive so that I could use the new CDs, but this was more complicated than I want to get into right now!)

"Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."
Matthew 23:26

Picture in your mind, the coffee cup you keep at work. The one with your company logo, or with some clever joke, that you use for your morning cup of coffee. Now picture how that cup would look if you never washed it. (For some of you this won't be too difficult.)

Now you know what a Pharisee looked like. And you also know what we look like to God when we try on our own to "clean up our act" by changing our habits or making resolutions or trying the latest "How To Be an Incredible Person" book. We slap on new labels, glue on new attitudes or buy clever accessories, but God still sees our heart.

Richard Foster put it this way in his book Celebration of Discipline "The needed change within us is God's work, not ours. The demand is for an inside job, and only God can work from the inside."

"Only God can work from the inside," but it is still our decision whether we will allow this or not. We must decide if we will give the Creator free reign in our inner most parts. We must choose to set aside our outward attempts at change, and allow Him to work His change from the inside out.

The choice is ours. But if we insist on doing it our way, we will probably continue running at the same old speed, looking at life through the same old monitor and having to deal with small rodents cluttering up our workspace!

Let God begin the process of changing your life, today!

If you're interested, there is more information about:
The most important event of all time and
The most important Book of all time.

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Contributed by Ellis Bush, Jr. at Modem Ministries