Lamentations 3:23-24

Josiah Parr considers the need to keep moving forward in life and faith

Josiah Parr

Prepare to be shocked; I decided to go for a Samsung rather than an Apple iPhone. I know this goes against the youth pastor code and I'm somewhat ashamed. Here is the lesson God taught me while having to use a non-Apple product that doesn't automatically download updates! In the words of Jeremy Clarkson, 'On that bombshell', read on!

I've had my phone for eight months now. Since getting it there have been two software updates, which are essential for running the phone, but I could not for the life of me get it to download them onto my phone. I did the sensible thing and sat with a friend who was experienced in this area, who tried to make it work. We tried it on his new Windows 8 laptop, but it was too advanced. We tried it on his mums iMac and it was to old.

It was a source of extreme frustration. I had tried and failed; I had sought help and seemingly failed; what next? Give up? Try again?

It would have been so easy to ignore, after all its working well enough! We so easily live life surviving on the basic factory settings. It only takes one bad day, or an argument, a breakup, ill health and all of a sudden our basic factory settings aren't enough to see us through. Our world comes crashing down around us and we can't seem to get back on track.

Our walk with God is so important. Do you remember where you were, or what you were doing when you decided to give your life to God? How did that feel? I bet you have an amazing story! What happens if you never move on from that point? You may be fine for a time; you may have all the appearance of having it all together, but all it takes is that one thing to knock you and your world comes crashing down.

'God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.' Lamentations 3:23-24

What an amazing promise; that God has new things for you everyday; new opportunities to become more like Christ. Don't stagnate in a faith that was all lived out in your yesterdays. Experience everything that the new update brings.

So back to my story about my phone. After deciding I couldn't give up, that I shouldn't give up, I sat down at my computer and worked out how to download the update. I didn't give up until it finally worked. My phone feels brand new; it does things it couldn't do before. Now I have figured out how to update I can help everyone else who has this phone as well.

Push through and you will be able to help someone else push through!

"There are going to be days when you won't have the energy or drive to get out of bed. There are going to be days when you're going to want to give up - give up on love, life, or school. The thing is, you're not allowed to give up. You were given a life and you're supposed to live it. The truth is the 70 or 80 years that you're given isn't long enough to do the things you're supposed to do. Sure, you're gonna hit a few bumps along the way, but you've got to pick yourself up and move on. Life is unpredictable and things might not always work out the way you want them to, but that's no reason to give up. You're here for a reason and someday when you're not expecting it, you're going to discover your reason for being here. And when that does happen, your life will never be the same again." Robert Tew