The Help Desk

I like to think I know my job and the system, but from time to time I find myself in a situation that I just can’t seem to work out a solution. When I do, I send a message to the help desk. Sometimes I get a reply that answers the question, sometimes there is an exchange that has to happen because I haven’t correctly identified the problem. Then there are times when they have to send someone over to my office to fix the problem.

 When I learn a lesson, I like to apply it. If someone else is having trouble, I like to help. If they are having the same problem I was, I can be of help. In some cases even though I had the same problem, I cannot help because I don’t have what is called “Administrative Privileges” for their system. Then we have to call the help desk and get someone to come over and fix things.

The help desk is intimate with the system. There is nothing they cannot fix. They have the power and authority to act upon the system to assure the system functions at peak capacity. I’d like to be one of those guys some day.  I’d like to be someone who is so intimate and trusted that there are no secrets and I could help anyone.

Psalm 27:13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. NASB

How do we keep hope in this world while going through so many trials, temptations and troubles?

If you call the help desk (pray) and can’t seem to understand the answer, apply the solution, or are just having a hard time understanding what the problem really is, the help desk will send you an expert.

2 Chronicles 16:9  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

You see the expert sent from above is one whose heart is perfect. Perfect in this case is 08003 shalem {shaw-lame'} ref. Blueletter Bible Lexicon for Strong’s numbers.

I include the Hebrew Lexicon meaning of the word to clarify something. If I left it up to the reader to understand without any further explanation, the reader might construe the necessity for legalistic perfection. That is not the case. If it were, no one could ever expect to be used of the Lord, nor expect someone else to help them in their time of need.  

In this case, the person God would send, would be someone who has a covenant of peace with God. Someone who is not so distracted with the cares of this world that they could not hear that still small voice.

1 Kings 19

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

My desire to serve the Lord stems from relationship. When I said the help desk sends someone who is intimate with the system, I mean that God sends those with whom He has close intimate relationship. Intimacy fosters trust, and trusted children get to know intimate secrets.

Ephesians 3

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

In my second paragraph I mentioned that when I learn a lesson I like to help others. The biblical application for this is found in second Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 1

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

In order for me to be able to help someone, first I would need to be aware of the problem. In the work place we often share information to obtain help with the system. In life, it isn’t always that simple. Often the problems are personal and require a degree of trust for us to open up and admit what is happening in our lives, especially where sin is involved.

Hebrews 10

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Yet it is God’s plan for us that we should develop a bond of trust with each other, that we can believe that those who we gather together with, love us and will put our needs before such petty things as judgment and gossip. Sadly enough the writer of  Hebrews indicates that even the early church had troubles in this arena.

I know it is hard to trust people with the intimate parts of your life. I’ve had problems doing that myself. When I first came back to church I had a real fear of the people. They didn’t know me and I didn’t know them. How could I trust them? What would they think of me? Would they judge me? Reject me? Ridicule me?

As time went by I discovered something very interesting.

They were just like me. Same fears, same concerns and the same experiences. Some of them had already worked through their problems. Some of the same problems I was struggling with at that time. As I started building relationships I began to open up and confess my problems and concerns. I was pleasantly surprised at the warm welcome and fellowship that resulted. They were able to comfort me, reassure me and build up confidence in myself, and our relationships. That doesn’t happen overnight and you have to work your way through it, just like you do in all relationships. But it is worth the trouble.

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Not only will they meet your needs, you will fill theirs. You will find a place where you are needed and appreciated. Sure it’s nice to be wanted, but love is reciprocal, it needs to be given also. Without an object of affection, love withers.

Colossians 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

I include Colossians 2:19 for one reason, the increase. It is within the body dynamic that you become more than what you are as an individual. It is really hard to describe if you haven’t been part of a body of believers. Most analogies I can think of do not adequately describe the sensation. When it rains, the first few drops don’t seem like much but when the skies open up and it becomes a deluge it can cause a flood. That may describe the effect the world might see as a body dynamic and a worldly vision of increase but it doesn’t adequately describe any significant change within each and every raindrop.

What if you were a candle in a cold room with no air moving about you? As you were lit the coldness of the room would sap your heat and lower the effective temperature of the wick melting the wax, the fuel for the fire. But what if you were bundled together with many candles and all were lit? Your heat would warm neighboring candles and they you. It would reduce the loss of heat at the core of the candle and the melting of the wax would be more effective. At the same time the updraft would occur and air would be drawn in to help fuel the fire.

This is closer to the effect of the increase. Just being part of a body, being around these people of God, stirs up your spirit and causes your light to shine brighter.

Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

That is my hope for you.

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