Props: A computer mouse.

Can anyone tell me what I have here?  (A computer mouse) 

Do you know what this is used for?  It is used to give orders to a computer.  When I plug this end into the computer, then wiggle this mouse end around and press this button, the computer does what I want it to do.  How many of you have used a computer mouse before? 

As I was using my mouse the other day to run my computer, it occurred to me that a computer mouse is a lot like my attitude.  Let me explain. 

If my computer mouse is working right, it accepts every command I give it and passes it along flawlessly to the computer.  When the mouse works right, the computer works right.  Oh how frustrating it is though, when the mouse does not work right.  Maybe the button sticks, or the little ball on the bottom gets full of dirt and doesn't roll right.  Pretty soon the computer is doing crazy things and not the things that I want.  When this happens it's time to either clean the mouse, repair it, or throw it away and get another. The computer doesn't work right without a good mouse that works right. 

As I was working on my computer this past week, it occurred to me that the computer mouse is a lot like our attitude.  When our attitude is right, we accept the things we're supposed to do, pass them along to our bodies and minds, and they get done.  When our attitude is not right things get all balled up and we end up doing things were not supposed to do. 

Something I do regularly is take out a flashlight and a paperclip, along with a cloth and some alcohol, and clean my mouse to be sure it is working properly.  Sometimes I have to do the same thing with my attitude -- well, except for the paperclip and cloth with the alcohol.  My attitude needs to be cleaned up or adjusted so that I'm passing along the things that God wants me to do to my body and mind and they get done the right way. 

Does your attitude ever need to be cleaned up or adjusted?  I'll bet your mom or dad or the person who watches out for you might have something to say about that. :-)

Here's what I want you to remember: Always work to keep your attitude right (like a computer mouse) and you’ll do the right thing.  Can you member that?  Great!  I'll see you next time.

Dave Redick is Minister of the Hwy 20 Church of Christ in Sweet Home, Oregon and Editor of The Preacher's Study. He may be reached at pstudysupport@comcast.net.

Copyright © 1996-2008 by The Preacher's Study. Permission is granted to subscribers to use this document in total or in sermon preparation in the context of the local congregation only. Publishing it in a book, on the Internet, or anyplace beyond the local congregation is prohibited.

All Scripture quotations and references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

[Archive]    [Home]   [Comments]   [Search]