1 Thessalonians 2:15; Colossians 2:8 - The Qwerty Impediment

The top six letters on any English computer keyboard, from left to right are Q-W-E-R-T-Y.  The QWERTY  arrangement goes back to a typewriter designed by Christopher Latham Sholes.

Earlier typewriters had keyboards intuitively arranged in alphabetical order. However, it was so intuitive that typists would work the typing machines too fast, jamming the levered mechanism for the keys.

My parents gave me this portable Royal typewriter for my high school graduation gift... to start my college career.
Ah, how times have changed! At least it came in useful as an illustration for this devotional.

The keyboard on Shole's Remington typewriter arranged the keyboard randomly so it would slow down typists. It was definitely counterintuitive, but it reduced key jams. 

There were many different keyboard layouts, but Shole's design won out and was carried over: first to electric typewriters, then to computer keyboards. The whole purpose for the QWERTY layout is obsolete, but we are stuck with a layout that is intended to slow down typing.

Even when their histories are forgotten, the influence of traditions can continue. Some traditions--good traditions--are worth remembering.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:15, NET Bible)

But some traditions can have a major, negative impact.
"Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8, NET) 

Do you know what is influencing your life?

Father in heaven, Give us insight into how history influences us, whether it's the history of our culture, our church, or our family. Help us to reject the bad influences, embrace the good ones, and let the rest float on by. In Jesus' name, Amen.

https://www.cnet.com/news/a-brief-history-of-the-qwerty-keyboard/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/fact-of-fiction-the-legend-of-the-qwerty-keyboard-49863249/