Time to Hit the Reset Button?

With the relentless advance of our technological society, what would we ever do without the reset button?

Computers have a reset (or “restart”) button, handy for whenever they start acting erratically or decide to freeze up. In most cases we can “reset” and the computer’s running smoothly again. Twice a year, for Daylight Savings Time and Daylight Losing Time (better known as Standard Time), most of us reset our digital clocks, moving an hour forward or backward as the calendar ordains. And if you ever have to replace your car battery, it’s necessary to reset the programmed “presets” on the radio for your preferred stations. In each case, it’s like starting over.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a reset button for life?

I was reminded of this while listening to a commentary on the prodigal son, a parable Jesus told in Luke 15. You might recall the story about a son demanding his inheritance from his father even though “dad” was still very much alive. Adding insult to injury, the son squandered his premature fortune on riotous, irresponsible living, ending up in his own personal “bay of pigs” long before anyone had ever heard of Cuba or a missile crisis.

Finally coming to his senses, the still-young man decided to return home, realizing he couldn’t possibly expect to be restored to his family. But even taking on the role of a household servant would be a vast improvement over wallowing with the hogs.

Jesus’ story takes an unexpected turn, however, when instead of being angry or vindictive, the father runs – ignoring the social norm of the day – and welcomes his long-lost son, forgiving his previous ingratitude and disrespect. He even declared an impromptu party for celebrating the prodigal’s return. In a lavish demonstration of unconditional, undeserved love, the father was letting his son hit the “reset” button of his life.

Have you ever wished you could hit “reset” for wherever you are in your own life – to make a fresh start and repair a damaged relationship, redirect a struggling or unfulfilling career, undo unwise financial investments, or revisit poor personal choices that proved disastrous?

The amazing thing about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is He does just that. He provide the way to reset our lives, being able to make a fresh start. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”

This doesn’t mean our past is erased. Sometimes the consequences of bad decisions remain. But we’re given the opportunity to experience a new and very different present and future if we desire that. It’s a wonderful truth and promise, even though it takes a lifetime to grasp it fully and experience it by faith.

We see this assurance repeatedly in the Scriptures, both Old Testament and New. In Isaiah 43:18-19, God declares, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

So the next time you find yourself wishing you could hit the “reset” button in your life, reflect on these and other assurances of new life in Christ we find in the Bible. As another translation of 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Old things have disappeared, and – look! – all things have become new!”

What if we really believed this – and acted upon it? What difference could it make? Wouldn’t it be interesting to find out?

Beginnings . . . and Endings

Not long ago I read a statement many of us should take to heart: “Nobody can start a new beginning, but you can start today and make a new ending.”

I don’t remember the quotation’s source, but virtually all of us can look in the rearview mirror of our lives and see things we wish we could change. Some of us would like a fresh start, a clean slate, a complete “do-over.” Maybe star on a new reality show, “Extreme Do-over: Life Edition.”

Unfortunately, no one can do that. Time machines haven’t been invented (although writers like H.G. Wells have imagined them), so we can’t go back and try to fix past wrongs. Even if there were time machines, who knows if we could rectify anything?

Actions and decisions of days and years gone by are set, and sometimes consequences remain – accumulated debts, broken relationships, damaged health, disrupted careers. We can’t just go back to “START” and try again.

But we can determine today to create a new ending, one that looks very different from the way things seem to be heading.

Forgetting what lies behind, we need
to envision how our finish line should look.

Physically, we can stop procrastinating and undertake that exercise program we’ve been thinking about. We can start eating better. If necessary, we can start following the doctor’s orders.

Relationally, we can try to rebuild relationships. We can apologize, or ask forgiveness. We can dedicate the time and energy needed to bring about healing and reconciliation.

Financially, we can make an honest assessment of where we are, where we would like to be, and determine what steps are necessary to get there – even asking for help if needed.

Vocationally, we can quit complaining about our present job status and explore ways for making improvements, even if it means changing careers. It might require taking a risk, stepping outside our comfort zone – especially if that “comfort zone” is spelled MISERY. We can begin learning what we need to know, whether through books, online study, being mentored, or attending classes.

And some of us need to start today and make a new ending spiritually. That’s often the important first step in making the changes already mentioned. The curse of humanity is we all want to be our own gods. We want to determine our own destiny, captain our own ship, apart from God’s scrutiny and involvement. But when life is spiraling out of control, maybe we need to ask ourselves, “How’s that working for you?”

The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This says we can have a new beginning – spiritually – and receive the assurance of a new ending.

If you have experienced this, you already understand. If you haven’t, maybe today is your day to start making a new ending.