toleration

     At a computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."

     In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.

10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

     It's amazing, isn't it, what we tolerate in some things we use (like Microsoft Windows) that we would never tolerate in other things we use (like our automobiles)?  Then again, it shouldn't be too surprising because I find that there are many things which I tolerate in some people that I would never tolerate in others.

     For example, if someone I don't particularly like passes me on the street and doesn't wave or say "hi", I get easily offended and assume that he is just being snobby.  If a good friend does the same thing, though, I assume that he must have something on his mind and he was merely distracted.  If someone I love dearly accidentally trips and kicks me in the shin, I think nothing of it.  If someone else does it, though, I quickly assume they're clumsy and inconsiderate.  I t's true, isn't it?  We tolerate things from people we love that we would never tolerate from people we don't love.

     Could it be that one of the reasons we have so many conflicts in the church is that love is lacking?  When love is missing, we are quick to assume the worst, we tolerate nothing and we are quick to find fault.  Patience is non-existent.  Forgiveness is difficult.  Love, however, truly does "cover a multitude of sins." (I Peter 4:8)

     I like the way GOD'S WORD translates this passage from Paul's writings:  "As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient.  Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  Above all, be loving.  This ties everything together perfectly." (Colossians 3:12-14)

     Are you having trouble "putting up" with folks around you?  May your love for others increase so that your level of toleration may increase as well.

-alan smith