"Operating Systems"

 

“Operating Systems”

 

My computer skills are virtually nil, especially in understanding the technology involved. What I do know is that they are powered by operating systems, defined in Oxford Languages as “software that supports a computer’s basic functions”. Many such programs are available but in 2024 Android, Windows and iOS controlled about 90% of this lucrative market.

No matter what operating system (OS) is utilized each computer does only what it’s programmed to do. So in effect there’s no such thing as computer error (a problem stems from what’s entered) but glitches (sudden malfunctions) are always possible. When this happens chaos can result. Last July Karen and I arrived at the Tampa Airport to begin our Alaska trip (which had been postponed from the previous year due to illness) only to find that a computer bug had delayed or cancelled most flights and our airline couldn’t get us to our destination until several days into our tour. So we postponed it (again) until this coming August. You also may have experienced problems when an OS failed to perform as expected.

A recent Our Daily Bread devotional states, “Believers in Jesus have a new operating system.” Paul writes, “You…are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” (Romans 8:9). So rather than “Doin’ What Comes Naturally”, with the Spirit’s presence in us we do what God desires us to do. This is always a struggle (“For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other….”—Galatians 5:19) but “…thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

So…what’s my operating system? Yours?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan