Tech Schrek

How do you become a writer in the 21st century? You write a blog, of course! And what if you need to write a blog, but you’re terrified by technology? You cringe in fear at the feet of Tech Schrek.

I started high school in 1984. Computer classes were relatively new, and with 15 year old wisdom, I determined that computer class was about as relevant to my life as calculus. I was never working in an office, therefore I would never need to know how to use a computer. (Laugh hysterically!)

In grade 12, I read George Orwell’s book “1984,” where Big Brother monitors and controls every segment of society and every individual decision. His tool?  Computers. I didn’t need any more confirmation that computers were terrifying.

Ultimately, Big Brother did not stop me from connecting to the internet in the 1990’s. In fact, I have an iPhone, iPad and desktop computer, and I can’t remember how we managed the logistics of life without these devices. However, I’ve only tolerated technology as my needs have dictated.

The basics were serving me just fine until I realized that I would have to welcome a lot more technology into my life to fulfill my dream of writing beyond my journal. And that is how I find myself with an overwhelming case of Tech schrek.

I’m in the perfect season for writing, a rare gift, I know. My daughter is sixteen years old and developing independence. My health is stable, and I don’t have the constraints of a full time job. The only obstacle to my dream now is fear. Fear of the tool that’s needed to hone and share my craft.

I bravely step into my fear. My laptop crashes just as I’m about to complete my first significant project, a ten week Bible Study for teen girls. The deadline looms large. I reach deep within for some resilience amongst the panic, and find a solution, only to come crashing into another obstacle. Repeat the process. And repeat again.

I love writing despite the tech obstacles. But then comes the creation of the blog.  “Just ask for help” is the advice I get. Yes, if technology came in English instead of tech – speak, I could easily do that, but I don’t have words to express my questions.

Take a course. Is there a “Technology as a Second Language” class? Ahhh! I don’t want to take a computer class. I don’t even know what to sign up for! I just want to write. (Yes, you could interpret that as a hissy fit; I won’t describe the visual details, because I’d like to preserve a little dignity.) I love writing, but this tech ogre keeps stealing my joy, and my resilience is wearing thin.

I find help in a most unexpected place, from an author who doesn’t blog. “Make friends with the problems in your life.” I love Sarah Young! I’ve never met her, but she has become a mentor to me through the pages of Jesus Calling. Although Sarah doesn’t blog, she shines light on my muddled path in my dark woods of technology. If you haven’t read Jesus Calling, she uses the literary device, “point of view” in a creative manner. Young writes her personal application of the scriptures as though Jesus were narrating the devotional.

“Every problem can teach you something, transforming you little by little into the masterpiece I created you to be. The very same problem can become a stumbling block over which you fall, if you react with distrust and defiance. The choice is up to

you, and you will have to choose many times each day whether to trust Me or defy me.”

Hmm. Has Sarah witnessed my daily hissy fits? I keep bumping into tech obstacles, and rather than accepting the challenges as part of the route on this forested climb, I crash onto my snivelling face.

“The best way to befriend your problems is to thank Me for them.” Seriously, Sarah?!  Isn’t that taking thankfulness outside the realm of honesty? But she doesn’t heed my objection, so I keep reading.

“This simple act opens your mind to the possibility of benefits flowing from your difficulties. You can even give persistent problems nicknames, helping you to approach them with familiarity rather than with dread. The next step is to introduce them to Me, enabling Me to embrace them in My loving Presence. I will not necessarily remove your problems, but My wisdom is sufficient to bring good out of every one of them.”

So I do what she recommends. I thank God for my iPad and my failing Belkin keyboard. (To Belkin’s credit, they sent me a new keyboard under warranty). And I named my problem. TECH-SCHREK! A perfect name for an ogre who’s supposed to become my friend.

What gifts has Jesus brought me through Tech-Schrek? Continuing resilience. New tech knowledge. I’ve learned that there are tasks that tablets can manage, and others they simply aren’t designed to do. So use the desktop for those.

Hmm. There lies an important life principle. I’m not designed for every task either. I can write, so how about I pay someone to create the website and blog!!! Brilliant. And, why would I expect myself to be capable of everything? And why would I question my value because I can’t do everything? Because I don’t have the same skills and gifts as other people?

Why don’t I share my skills with my community and humbly receive those gifts I lack instead of comparing and judging? Through community, God keeps bringing me information and friends who help, and he keeps leading me along this unfamiliar path one step at at a time. And the ogre, Tech-Schrek is less threatening. I can’t say I enjoy his presence, but if he chases me into Jesus’ Presence, then he’s welcome on my journey.

Reading

1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Psalm 139:13-16

Pondering

What is a problem in your life that needs to be named and brought to Jesus?

What are you afraid to try?

How are you comparing your skills and gifts to others?

Is there an area where you need to humbly share your gifts, and/or humbly seek help from those gifted differently from you?

Is there someone with whom you’re comparing yourself and making judgements?

There is freedom from these patterns of thinking. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead you towards freedom.

Young, Sarah. Jesus Calling: a 365-Day Journaling Devotional. Thomas Nelson, 2008.