Beloved, let me begin by sharing a truth that many have sought, yet few have grasped. It is a revelation that has come to me, not through dreams or visions, but through the painful reality of experience—an experience with the deceiving whispers of modern technology, in the form of what they call a “mini-split air conditioner.” Yes, my brethren, today I must speak to you about this device that promised relief, but delivered nothing but frustration, much like the false idols of old that promised peace but led only to emptiness.
The Beginnings: A Quest for Comfort in Our New Home
Two years ago, my wife and I were blessed with a new home, a place of refuge where we could rest and gather strength for the work of the Lord. The house was fitted with a dependable, time-tested heat pump, a robust and faithful servant that kept us cool in the summer and warm in the winter. For two years, it performed without flaw, like the hand of God gently cradling us in His protection.
The Temptation of “More”: The False Promises of the Mini-Split
But we desired more—ah, how often do we desire more, even when we already have what we need! Our hearts longed for a bedroom that was not just cool, but cold, a place where we could rest in perfect comfort during the night. And it was then, my brothers and sisters, that we were tempted. We were seduced by the promise of a new mini-split unit, a system said to be quiet, efficient, and powerful. How the world loves to promise things that seem too good to be true!
The Initial Deception: Comfort That Never Lasts
At first, the mini-split did its work. It hummed softly in the background, whispering lies of comfort and peace. But soon, the truth was revealed, as it always is. In the heat of summer, the unit failed us, unable to control the humidity that clung to the air like the doubts that cling to a wavering heart. I would awaken in the night, drenched in sweat, though the system was running—running, but not delivering.
The Battle With Condensation
Oh, the condensation! It gathered in the drain pan, like a flood of disappointment waiting to burst forth. If I did not constantly treat it, the water would overflow, like unchecked sin in a man’s life. And as the condensation accumulated, so too did my frustration.
Maintenance Troubles: The Filth and Burden of Mini-Split Systems
The filters—those were another burden. Though they were cleaned regularly, the blower became filthy with dust and grime, just as the soul becomes stained when it neglects its spiritual discipline. The mini-split was supposed to be self-sufficient, yet it demanded my constant attention, much like the idols that require endless sacrifices, but never give back what they promise.
The Fickle Thermostat: A Device Without Balance
But it was not just the filth or the humidity, my friends. No, the deception ran deeper. The thermostat, the very heart of the unit, was as fickle as the human will, never delivering what it promised. Set it to a comfortable temperature, and it would cool until the room felt like a frigid tomb. Set it higher, and the temperature would rise without restraint, leaving us sweltering. There was no balance, no peace—only extremes, swinging wildly like the double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The Final Insult: When Technology Fails Without Warning
And then came the final insult. After weeks of struggling with this rebellious machine, I spent a rainy day—oh, how fitting, for it felt like a day of mourning—cleaning the filters, scrubbing the blower, and trying to coax life back into the unit. For a moment, I thought I had succeeded. But it was a false hope, as all hope is when placed in the things of this world.
The Malfunctioning Mini-Split: A Tale of False Promises
Soon after, the mini-split began to malfunction again. The blower would stop, then start again, like a heart that has lost its rhythm. There were no error codes, no warnings—just silence, followed by chaos. And now, the unit seems to have given up altogether. Though I turn it off, the lights remain on, as if mocking me, like the false prophets who claim to speak for God, yet know Him not.
The Wait for Deliverance: A Lesson in Patience
So here I stand, waiting for a technician to come, waiting for parts to arrive—waiting, waiting, waiting. How often do we wait for deliverance from the wrong things, when the true Deliverer is already near?
The Hard Lesson: When Technology Fails to Deliver Comfort
My wife and I have learned a hard lesson. The mini-split was supposed to bring us comfort, but it has only brought us trouble. It was supposed to make our lives easier, but it has only made them harder. It was supposed to be a blessing, but it has proven to be a curse.
A Warning Against Placing Trust in Man or Machine
And so, I say to you today, do not place your trust in the promises of man or machine. Do not be deceived by the allure of new technology, for it will fail you, just as the mini-split failed us.
True Comfort in the One Who Never Fails
Instead, place your trust in the One who never fails. His promises are true. His comfort is real. He will never leave you sweating in the heat of your trials, nor will He abandon you to the cold indifference of this world’s empty promises. In Him, and only in Him, will you find true peace, true comfort, and true rest.
Beware the Allure of Convenience: A Call to Trust the Tried and True
Let this be a warning, my friends: be wary of the promises of convenience, for they are often a snare.
Dependability Over Flash: A Testament to the Reliable Unit
And as for me, I will stick with the old ways, the tried and true ways, that have been faithful from the beginning. For the reliable unit in my living room may not be flashy, but it is dependable. And in this life, dependability is worth more than all the sleek, new promises the world has to offer.
Amen.