We are living at the moment with no TV. Unfortunately it stopped working. We tried new batteries in the remote. We tried the good old, “switch it off and then switch it on”. We tried different plug sockets, all to no avail. We then remembered it was still under guarantee, (just!), so duly contacted John Lewis and arranged for a TV repairman to come and look at it. After explaining what had happened, and some simple testing, he deduced that it probably needed a new “motherboard”.
A “motherboard” is a printed circuit board containing the main components in a computer or other electric device. Why a “motherboard” and not a “fatherboard” ? One explanation is because it can be extended by plugging other circuits into it, and another explanation is that electric connections are traditionally referred to has male or female connectors, and the connectors on a “motherboard” are all female.
Whilst unable to watch TV, it got me to thinking! God is our Father, and our Mother. He is the main “circuit board” without which we cannot function properly. He is sufficient alone, but His message reaches much further when “auxiliary circuits” are plugged in. Jesus chose 12 “auxiliary circuits” that fed off him directly, and in turn there have been millions of other “auxiliary circuits”since then. All these have a finite lifespan, but the main “motherboard” or if you prefer, “fatherboard” is still working.
So unlike our TV which may or may not be repaired, and we may once again be able to spend our evenings watching it, God never malfunctions. He continues working as He did on day 1.
Prayer: Almighty and Sovereign God, thank you that you never fail. Thank you that even when we malfunction, you continue. Thank you that we can “plug in” to you, our source of strength. Help us to spread your message of love and grace to all those around us. AMEN