Technology can be wonderful but it can also be less than wonderful when it doesn’t work as you expect it to.  That probably doesn’t come as a surprize to anyone – especially people who are of a certain mature age shall we say.  I am in the category that can manage what I need to do on computers and some other basic technologies (Facebook anyone) as long as things go as they should but I am thrown into the slough of despond – to use that wonderfully apt phrase from Pilgrim’s Progress – when things don’t work.

There have been a few times recently where I have experienced these types of situations either personally or vicariously – I won’t give details about them because that is not my point.  The point is that these situations can be frustrating and highly annoying to say the least.  What I am wondering this morning is, is there anything positive about these times?

I was recently reminded about one of the first times I experienced a computer failure.  I had decided to try and use my laptop and projector to show a painting during a worship service at the church where I was rector.  It was a small congregation and it was not set up for screens and projectors.  However, I thought this would be a great opportunity to use the equipment that I was not that familiar with, and use it for a sermon illustration.  I had it all set up and ready to go – actually checking during the opening of the service and when I got to the point to show it – the projector shut down and I couldn’t get it working again – of course.

So, on reflection, where is the pony in this pile of manure?  Well, I was able to carry on regardless and got by with a verbal description.  Also, I had this as an illustration of how things don't always go as planned so don’t sweat the small stuff even if it feels like big stuff at the time.  It also gives me an opportunity to show you and discuss the painting I was going to show the congregation that Sunday.  

It is a painting by the Renaissance master Tintoretto which depicts Jesus washing the feet of a disciple.  It is, of course, a religious theme and quite appropriate for a sermon.  I particularly wanted to use it as a sermon illustration because of my experience seeing it – a one version of it – in the Art Gallery of Ontario.  It is quite a large canvas 75 × 175 in. according to the information on-line (computers can be wonderful when they work).  It is an impressive work of art, but wat really caught my attention and grabbed me was the visual effect it produced.  When I walked along the length of the canvas from right to left. I was amazed that the image of Jesus and the disciple moved from the side of the picture to the center of the picture.  Unfortunately, I can’t duplicate this experience here.  I was surprized by this – to say the least - and walked back and forth in front of the painting to be sure I hadn’t imagined it.  Sure enough, it happened every time.  It is a tribute to the genius of the artist.

The message in all this is that we can make something – Jesus in this case – the center of our life – and something which grounds us.  Sometimes that will move to the edge of our lives when we are focussing on other things – such as electronics not working as they should.  However, that central thing can be brought back into the centre of our lives when we focus on it.  It is important if that thing is something that truly grounds us.

May you be blessed to keep the thing which grounds you centered in your life on your journey.