TROUBLESHOOTING GOD WITH

On my second day on the job, my new supervisor handed me his laptop: “I need you to upgrade this to the latest Web-based operating system.”

I was in a foreign country, surrounded by coworkers speaking a foreign language, and as a junior IT technician, I was finding it challenging to familiarize myself with the new work environment, understand foreign technical terms, and handle the inevitable problems that exceeded my level of experience.

Back at my desk, I began backing up all the files and system settings, while creating a plan of action. It was the first time I’d ever worked with this particular cloud-based technology, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that this assignment was more complicated than anticipated. There were a number of compatibility and security issues, there wasn’t any straightforward method to migrate the files between the old and the new operating systems, and to top it off, I discovered that the new OS would be unable to connect to our networked office printer without specialized software.

After a couple of hours researching solutions and poring over the company’s network map, the office was about to close, and I still had a long list of tasks. I began to worry about how long this process was taking and whether the final outcome would meet expectations. I breathed a silent prayer asking Jesus to guide me to the right solution.

You will finish by 10 am tomorrow! His voice quietly whispered to my heart.

10 am? I questioned. That doesn’t sound realistic.

You will finish by 10 am tomorrow! Jesus repeated.

Honestly, I began to wonder if Jesus really understood the challenges of working with technology. Nevertheless, I decided to see what the next day would bring.

Back at the office the next morning, I took a deep breath and prayed for guidance, then booted the system. Not long after, I discovered a solution I hadn’t known about the day before.

By 10 am, I was done. All the files had loaded, and there were no longer any compatibility issues. Although I wasn’t sure why or how, I was also now able to print from the office printer. A colleague said he would set up the security certificates. And my supervisor thanked me for my work.

Experiences like this convince me that God is personally interested in my life. And when we quiet our busy minds and take time to listen, God can speak directly to our hearts, bringing peace of mind.

I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch your progress. — Psalm 32:8 TLB