Hard Reset

Photo by Sachin Tripathi from Pexels

Have you ever needed to do a “hard reset” on one of your electronic devices? Your mobile phone? A tablet?  Maybe even your computer? You know, because it is frozen and won’t work anymore? I know I certainly have.  It’s as if that device is saying, “Ok, I have had enough. I can’t take anymore. I need a break.” Thus, you have to shut it down, give it some time, and do a hard reset to get it to function again.
 
Well, as human beings, I believe we all need to take breaks, too. And, right now during this coronavirus pandemic, we are getting our chance.  Maybe this is God’s way of giving us the ability to do a “hard reset” on our lives and ourselves.
 
Even though this pandemic is scary in a multitude of ways, we should be using this unexpected time at home to our advantage. If we just change our perspective a bit, we can look at this as an opportunity to better ourselves, our lives, and maybe even the world we live in. This is our moment to create some beauty out of the “ashes” of this Covid-19 mess. (See Isaiah 61:3)
 
Below are just a few ideas I have on using this time wisely.

• Spend more authentic, honest time with God. Make Him your first priority. Read your Bible. Study what it says. Pray. Meditate.
• Spend quality time with your family. Play some games. Take delight in a delicious meal together. Read some books or watch a movie together.
• Help a neighbor or a friend in need. Offer to run errands for those who are not able to get out of the house. Bake some cookies and leave them on their doorstep. Even just a smile and a wave from across the street is an easy way to lift another’s spirit.
• Get outside. Talk a walk. Play with your dog. Plant some new flowers. Enjoy the great outdoors. Vitamin D, fresh air, and sunshine are good for your soul. (As is taking in the beauty of God’s creation. Watch the sun rise or set. God does glorious work!)

​Yet, more often than not, these are the first things that get pushed aside in our daily lives. We don’t necessarily mean to, but we get busy just living life. We have jobs and kids and chores. And, yes, these are all important too. But, we get so occupied with all of these other things, we forget our greatest concerns should be looking towards the Lord and then taking care of each other.
 
I pray that during this unforeseen season where our lives have slowed down to a snail’s pace, that we will all turn the tables to our benefit. Let’s do a hard reset on our lives and put the focus where it should be—God and others. After all, God’s commandment is to love Him first and second to love one another. (See Mark 12: 30-31)