On a Mission

Have you ever watched a Roomba? Those little vacuums go from place to place, banging into walls and chairs, yet never deterred from their mission. We have a Roomba and I like to call her Alice. She is almost a member of the family. While Alice works, we go about our business—or I admittedly sometimes sit and observe her ‘habits.’ It is fascinating to watch her go back and forth in the room, picking up every dog hair and crumb that lies in her path. The brilliant minds that design these machines have given Alice sensors and a bumper that make it easier to map out the room and even to head back to the docking station when it is time to charge up her battery.

In the last month, I have sent Alice on her vacuuming expeditions sometimes twice a day. With everyone at home instead of school and work, there is an upturn in housework and I need my trusty assistant to do her thing. Our routines are disrupted and my family is navigating strange seas. Nearly every day gives us something new to figure out, some uncharted territory and a deeper sense of loss. It may sound odd, but it brings me comfort to watch that robot go.

At least one of us knows what she’s doing. Amen?

Although I have admitted to taking solace in a robot, I know these machines have limitations. They cannot adjust or adapt their ways to things like LEGOs and shoestrings. They know nothing of crisis and the emotional upheaval that comes with a global pandemic.

But God knows.

I can take comfort in knowing that God sees and understands what is happening in the world. Not only that, but God has provided the Holy Spirit to bring comfort, to tell us what is true and to bring power when we are tempted to feel powerless. These words from the book of John give us the sense of God’s gift to us:

But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:26-27 ESV

It might feel like you are crashing into walls or that you would like a better map of the room, but remember the Holy Spirit is with you. The very presence of God never leaves you and He brings power and comfort each minute of each day. Resolve today to be on mission to bear witness to Jesus, no matter the obstacles on the path.