ON THE VANGUARD

THE ‘RESET’ BUTTON
“Then the One sitting on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new!’ Also he said, ‘Write, “These words are true and trustworthy.”’”
Revelation 21:5

To be honest with you, I am not a very ‘techy’ guy. I used to work for a cell phone company, but I wasn’t even able to tell you how to turn a phone on. I work now around computers all day, but I cannot tell you how to fix it when it breaks or the program sticks. For me the answer is always ‘reset’. In some ways I wish I had this option in life. If I could go back in time and ‘reset’ some of my stupid moves, I would love it. I would love to ‘reset’ that day in 1986 when I took a walk and stumbled upon my first porn magazine. I would love to ‘reset’ my senior year of high school when I lost some of my stance for Christ by dating a non-believer, much like King Solomon did with his many women. And I would give anything to ‘reset’ all those times when God has spoken and I have ignored Him.
In many ways, God also uses a ‘reset’ button. The difference, though, is that He wrote the owner’s manual. As such, He knows how the system works, the product’s intent, and the final outcome. However, along the way He gave the product the option of freewill. It is this freewill that gets us in trouble most of the time. It is because of freewill that I made the decisions I did growing up. With me as His product it is safe to safe that He never intended for me to look at porn, date someone who would detour me from Him, or allow cotton to be stuffed into my ears. No, His intent was that I follow the steps He outlined and move solely in His shadow.
So what do I do, knowing that I have drifted from the original purpose that I was created for and have allowed the world to sway His intent? The answer is simple, or at least simple to say. I allow for Him to ‘reset’ me. In Revelation 21:5, when the vision John has been given the ability to see is just about done, we read the words, “I am making everything new!” I don’t know about you, but those words bring hope and freedom to me. God, knowing my past junk and selfish moments, is making all things new; He is resetting my life. This ‘reset’ cost Him, for His Son died on the cross for my sin. But He gave His Son so that I could have life. He hit the ‘reset’ button because of His love for me.
Maybe like me, you too have made some mistakes, sinned whether on accident or on purpose, and found yourself also wishing for that ‘reset’ option. The good news is that today it can be possible. If we confess our sin to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from unrighteousness. In truth, He presses the ‘reset’ button for our lives and allows a fresh start. So then, what is stopping you for the ‘reset’? Isn’t it time to ask Him for a do over?