Technical Difficulties

Technical Difficulties                                      12-12-16  

2 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV) ¹¹  so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 

I went to church yesterday to watch the children's Christmas Presentation.While sitting in the pew I checked my watch and noticed that the published start time had come and gone.A couple minutes later I checked again,then sat back and chilled,knowing the program would start soon enough. Just then the Pastor, who also was the director of the program, ascended the platform and informed the waiting crowd that due to technical difficulties the program's start would experience a short delay.When I heard those words "technical difficulties" my ears perked up and my mind strolled back to another day.And herein lieth the lesson.

I have heard my friend Pastor Doug mouth those very same words on any number of occasions during the many productions and music programs he has headed up. It seems as if technical difficulties often rise up when we are attempting to do something for the glory of God doesn't it? While sitting there musing on those words,another phrase I had heard many times before also surfaced."What did you expect?" Let me try and explain.Take a hypothetical.

O.K. you've been working on this play. You garnered a list of characters. You secured commitments from the children and the parents. Then you started pulling all the necessary folks needed for behind the scenes. You began to coordinate practice times with the stage hands,helpers and of course tech support folk.Then you decided that instead of purchasing a production,you will write the script in house.That in itself requiring many hours of blood,sweat and tears to accomplish.Then a day or two after Thanksgiving rehearsals begin. Over the next two or three weeks you try to get everyone there on time(a miracle of God if you pull it off) You try to be very sensitive to the people who are volunteering,knowing  that this is also a VERY BUSY AND TIRING time of year for them.You usually end up with rehearsals that are partial because of various obstacles. Kids get sick. Parents get caught at work. etc.,etc..,

Probably after a particularly trying day,you have an evening rehearsal where no one has yet learned their part.The prop guy couldn't make it. The lead character is out sick. And to top it off,the play,in front of the whole church and the many visitors that will come out is only DAYS away. After everyone leaves and you sit there exhausted from your efforts,you look up to heaven and wonder if you can pull it off.

And the voice enters your spirit."What did you expect?"

The more effort you expend, it seems the more adversity you encounter.It seems everything that can go wrong does.And still the day of the performance looms ever closer. You seriously begin to wander if it is going to happen. The enemy will put all sorts of disaster scenarios in your mind. You can see characters wondering around the stage CLUELESS as to what they are to do next. Lines forgotten,songs absolutely butchered,props falling down, you gettin' my drift? BUT,THE SHOW MUST GO ON. You look to heaven once again and there it is once more:

"What did you expect?" 

You see the devil has designs on your efforts to preach the Gospel. Look at this.

Matthew 13:24-29 (ESV) ²⁴  He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,
²⁵  but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.
²⁶  So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.
²⁷  And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’
²⁸  He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’
²⁹  But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.


You see, the enemy will sow weeds in your good seed. It may come in the form of people who are negative and critical. It may be opposition in the form of sickness, lack of commitment,unforeseen circumstances....whatever. Here you are trying to put this huge production together with all of the accompanying problems and all you're hearing is:

"What did you expect?"

If you are not careful it can become overwhelming and discouraging.

So, you weather all the storms associated with producing and directing this thing and the BIG DAY finally arrives. Unbelievably,the dress rehearsal on the eve of the play went surprisingly well. For the most part people knew their lines,costumes were ready, props in place...for the first time in weeks there was a small light at the end of the tunnel.  Your confidence is bolstered and the crowd the next day begins to file in. "A good crowd," you think to yourself.You take one final look around and pronounce quietly to yourself,"we're ready." As you prepare to raise the curtain,all of a sudden you see someone out of the corner of your eye rushing towards you. "What? WHAT!? We're having TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

Fighting back the tears,in absolute panic mode you look heavenward and yeah there it is.

"What did you expect?.

So you wearily make the announcement that there will be a short delay. You walk off the stage and wait. At the complete mercy of the "tech geeks." But, you know something and here is the good part. Eventually,the technical difficulties are resolved and the show goes on. You sit there in amazement as the cast and crew pull off an amazing program. I mean they NAIL IT! You're sitting back in utter amazement and you realize that it was God.IT WAS GOD! Only God could have pulled it off. And so He did.

2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV) ¹⁴  But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.


It is then that you realize that God had it all the time. He had your back and all you can do is say "Thank you."

Maybe I have exaggerated in my story telling......maybe not. But, one thing I will tell you is that the devil will not leave you alone in your efforts to do something for the Lord. Don't give up,God's not worried,He's got it and there is a reward.

As I watched yesterday in real time,the production came off without a hitch as far as I can tell. But,it was what happened at the end. From afar I watched a nine year old child on her own, without prompt, walk down to the altar and kneel to ask God about something that was happening in her life. She asked for one of the pastors to come and pray for her. As I looked around there were other folks who had been touched by the Holy Ghost kneeling and praying to God. I looked back at the child and then closed my eyes and looked heavenward. I thanked God for touching that child that is so dear to me. I saw the fruit of all the folks who labored behind the scenes unbeknownst to me or most of the other folks that were there. Because of their efforts, the Lord had moved.Afterward I heard a voice in my heart say"What did you expect?."

Brothers and sisters,your labor for the Lord is not forgotten.

Psalm 118:14 (ESV) ¹⁴  The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Have a very Merry Christmas.


God Bless