This morning, I sat down at my computer, and there it was, glaring at me from the icon tray in the bottom-right corner of my screen.
“Reboot Required.”
Oh, joy.
It seems to show up at the most inconvenient times, reminding me that some new update has been downloaded to my computer and now needs to be “applied” and set free to roam around inside my machine.
I have to admit, I always have mixed feelings about rebooting my computer.
On the one hand, I’m a little excited. Perhaps something new has been added that will make my computer work better, run faster, or at least make my life a little easier. (Have I mentioned that I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy?)
On the other hand, there’s always that nagging worry. Oh no! I finally figured out how to do everything I need to do on this computer, and now they’re going to change something! Or worse yet, something that was working perfectly fine yesterday will suddenly stop working today.
Let’s face it, most of the time, after the computer reboots, I can’t tell that anything has changed at all.
Which, I suppose, is a good thing.
Maybe?
But as I sat there staring at that little reboot symbol this morning, it occurred to me that we serve a God who knows a thing or two about rebooting.
Think about it.
In six days, God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. And on the seventh day, He rested. Not because He was tired or needed to recharge His batteries, but because His work of creation was complete. He blessed that seventh day and made it holy. (Genesis 2:2–3)
A divine pause. A time set apart.
A reboot, if you will.
Then, when God gave His people the Ten Commandments, He told them:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8, ESV)
God knew that His people needed more than an endless cycle of working, worrying, and trying to keep everything running. They needed time to stop, to rest, and most importantly, to remember who their God was and what He had done for them.
And for us today, Sunday morning offers that wonderful opportunity. We gather for worship, hear God’s Word, receive His gifts in the Sacraments, confess our sins, and hear once again the wonderful news that we are forgiven because of Jesus Christ.
A weekly reboot!
And God didn’t stop there.
In the Old Testament, He instructed the children of Israel to celebrate a special Year of Jubilee every fifty years. It was a time when debts were released, property was restored, and people were given a fresh start. (Leviticus 25)
Talk about a reboot!
Of course, God’s work in our lives is far greater than a computer update. He doesn’t simply install a few improvements and hope we run a little faster. Through His Word, He calls us to repentance, forgives our sins for Christ’s sake, and renews us in faith.
As St. Paul reminds us:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Now that’s an update worth celebrating!
Maybe the real problem is that, just like with my computer, we sometimes resist the very thing we need. We get comfortable with our routines. We like things the way they are. We don’t always welcome interruptions, even when those interruptions are opportunities to receive something good.
And yet, week after week, God invites us to stop what we’re doing and receive what only He can give.
Rest. Forgiveness. Peace. Renewal.
Not because we’ve earned it. Not because we’ve finally figured everything out. But because our gracious God loves us and continues to care for us.
So the next time Sunday morning rolls around, or that little reboot symbol starts glaring at you from the corner of your computer screen, remember this:
God designed us to need rest, and He graciously provides the renewal we need.
And unlike my computer updates, God’s promises never fail.
Now, if you don’t hear from me for a while, it might be because my computer reboot didn’t go quite as planned.
But thanks be to God, His Word of forgiveness and promise of new life in Christ never need a software patch!
Reboot complete. Thanks be to God!
<>< Pastor Craig