The wizardry of technology

I have just come off a zoom meeting with other colleagues from the circuit. It was basically a virtual staff meeting and for many it all worked well. Unfortunately on Monday morning my internet speed and connection was not that good, I wonder if it was because so many are having to communicate this way.  So when I came to speak it was breaking up so much I sounded like a cyberman from Dr Who!! Now that is quite scary as when I was a boy it was the cyberman that frightened the life out of me. Last night I had a different experience with zoom. At Almondbury Methodist we had our first virtual house group meeting, not a cyberman in sight then.  As restrictions mean that we cannot go and personally see people, using such technology as the internet , and even telephones is becoming an important way to communicate with each other. But sometimes things might go wrong with the technology or it might not work as quickly as we want. Then we will need to be patient.  Being patient is not something we are used to these days. We have become so used to having what we need immediately, or at least ordered now for immediate pick up or next day delivery, which the wizardry of technology has brought us. Having to be patient might not such a bad thing. It might make us appreciate things more when they do happen, it might make us have to wait a little longer for things and in the waiting we might create space to use for something else. 
In Romans 12: 12 it says:

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer." (NRSV)

In this time of suffering it might be difficult to be patient, we want solutions and so often look to science and technology to provide them.  The great hope we have is that there are many people using their skills to find solutions to what is happening. it may not happen overnight, we need to be patient and let them do their jobs and as we are patient support them with our prayers.

Loving God

Who is always patient with us
we pray that we too may have
patience at this difficult time.
We thank you for the technology 
that helps us to communicate
with each other.
We thank you for all those working
in science and technology to find
ways to help at this time.
Bless their work and keep them safe.

This we ask in the name of Jesus.

Amen

Oh and I worked out how to set up a subscribe by email box. If you want to, please enter your email in the box at the top of the page and you will be sent an email when there is a new post. Some more technical wizardry!