Updates

If you have a computer, you have to deal with updates.
Those little reminders that pop up to tell you there is a new version of something that must be installed on your computer to ensure that it runs efficiently.

You can click the “install” button right away to make sure your computer is up to date, or you can choose the “remind me later” button.
I often wondered how many times you can request to be reminded later before there are serious problems.

I was thinking about the fact that I really don’t know what I am installing.
I did not study computer science or programming.
I know how to do what I do on the user end, but have no idea of what goes on behind my screen.

Even if I click on “details” for an explanation of an update, it doesn’t mean much to me.
It is enough to know that it is a legitimate update and that it requires my permission.

My oldest daughter is an interactive web designer, so she is my go-to person when I have a computer question. It amazes me that she can be so creative with her writing and designing, yet understand the nuts and bolts of the computer as well.

The average person trusts that when you get on your computer, it will be user friendly; it will have a fast internet speed ; and all your data will be where it should be.

I can remember a time, not so long ago, when we did not rely on computers.
Libraries had card catalogs; encyclopedias were the only search engine we had; and good penmanship mattered because everything was hand written.
Now the culture has shifted from the “hands on” to the “cloud”.

But what about those updates?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had updates in our daily life?
Reminders that pop up to ensure that we are running efficiently.
Updates to help us grow as a Christian.

There are new updates for Bible memorization…INSTALL.
There are new updates for help with your prayer life…INSTALL.
Updates are ready to help you with your quiet time…INSTALL.
Office updates are available to help you with your journaling…INSTALL.

Wouldn’t it be nice?

But would we take the time to install them?
You hate my instruction and cast My words behind you. (Psalm 50:17)

How efficient would we be without the basic operating system the Lord installs in us?
He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

We may ignore the prompting to update our operating systems, but the package is built into our hearts and cannot be denied.
Many put it off, and ask to be reminded later.
But later may be too late!

We try to operate our systems by ourselves with disastrous results.
Eventually, we will crash and need extensive repair.
It would have been much better, in our sanctification process, if we updated all along.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23,24)

If anyone can repair us, God can.
Only He knows our hearts and knows the updates we need to become more like Jesus.
He has given us the only Repair Manual we will ever need.
We must read it.
We must study it.
We must follow the instructions.

We need to stop trying to make repairs on our own.
Let’s leave the updating to Him.

I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be. (Amos 9:11)