Does God Fix Copy Machines?

The book of Psalms has a whole slew of references to God enabling David (or the psalmist) to accomplish marvelous things like crushing armies, scaling walls, slaying dragons . . .

Okay, well, maybe not slaying dragons.

I know in my head that Christians can move mountains through God's power, which is totally beyond our comprehension. But to be honest, I don't particularly feel so full of faith that I can move mountains.

I can completely relate to the man who implored Jesus, "Help me in my unbelief!" (Mark 9:21-24). I don't want to doubt, but I can't seem to make myself stop trusting only in what I can see and feel.

Jesus said, "With God, nothing is impossible." That's all well and good, but what do I do? What do I do when the copier breaks down and I need 500 copies for a meeting in ten minutes? What do I do when I have to finish my report that's due in an hour? What do I do when I drop my assay plate, destroying six hours of work in one moment?

Let's back up a second. What words dominate those sentences?

I. Me. Myself.

Sure, work is stressful. God isn't exactly standing beside me in flowing white robes and zap! My copies are done, my report is done, my assay plate is un-dropped.

But when unexpected problems happen, the first thing that goes south is my attitude.

It becomes all about me, and my work, and my effort, and how it's all down the toilet. Wah, wah, wah.

With God, nothing is impossible. He won't always step in and zap! Suddenly the copier works, or the report due date is extended, or the assay plate is un-dropped (although trust me, I've prayed for miracles in the biology lab before).

However, I can stop focusing on myself—on what I can do, on what's being asked of me, on what I'll have to do in consequence. When I stop and rest and pray and make an effort to release my stress to God, then suddenly things don't seem as dire.

I can think more clearly, find other options (the copier on the second floor), focus my thoughts (if I type fast, I can get this done in time), even face consequences with a lighter heart (if I take these shortcuts, I can redo the assay plate in less time).

Maybe my better attitude is God's power working around me or flowing through me, although I don't feel like a superhero with super powers. But if I stop focusing on myself and focus on the awesome love and power of God, then it's easier to face the stress around me.

Although one of these days, I'd really like to see God fix a copy machine.