Just turn it off, and then back on. How many times have you heard this advice? If you’ve ever worked with computers or other complicated electronic gadgets, there comes a time when the only suggestion to correct a problem is to reboot. Just turn it off, and then back on.

Rebooting gives equipment the opportunity to reset itself to the ideal settings to carry out the ideal functions it was designed for. What happens internally is a mystery to me…but I know it works.

It seems to correspond with us in our carrying out the ideal functions we were designed for. Sometimes to move forward in our purpose we have to reboot; turn everything off and then back on. Sometimes when it’s obvious that we are not functioning at the highest level, we may need to reboot.

And it’s not just when things are not going great, but even when things are going pretty good, it would do us well to reboot; turn everything off and then back on.

The disciples were instructed to do this very thing. After Christ sent them out on their first solo mission and they experienced tremendous results, He told them to “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” Mark 6:31 NIV.  Just stop and reboot. There’s more for you to do ahead and this time of reflection and refreshing is vital to your continued success.

Is it time for you to reboot?

Do you still feel a passion for your ministry?

Are you being as effective as you believe and know you can be?

Is joy a part of your life and are you able to communicate that joy with others?

Is your life going in the direction that you believe it should be going in?

Do you recognize a higher purpose to your life?

Are you still walking daily with your First Love?

If you answered no or not sure to any of the above, it’s time to reboot.  “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” John 3:8 What happens when we reboot might seem mysterious to us…but I know it works.

There are 2 things pretty certain in this life:
1) You’re going to be remembered for something
2) You’ll probably have some regrets

All of us are making silent, lasting impressions upon the many people we interact with from day to day. When people reflect back upon us will they do it with a sense of gratitude for knowing us or a sense of relief that we are not in their lives?

If the members in our classes had a discussion about us 5 or 10 years from now, what would they say? Would they have fond memories from being in our class? Will they rehearse positive, helpful lessons they heard from us. Will they recall a godly example and a character worth emulating? Only we can determine that.

A lot of what makes such a lasting impact upon a person’s life is the sum of small exchanges. Many times in our pursuit of “bigger” things and more “important” matters we overlook opportunities to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

Jesus disciples had this tendency. When the mothers wanted Jesus to bless their children, the disciples felt that Jesus had greater priorities. Jesus’ response has been studied and repeated throughout the ages “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:15-17

“In the children who were brought in contact with Him, Jesus saw the men and women who should be heirs of His grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for His sake.” EGW Desire of Ages Page 515
Jesus saw the bigger picture.

I’m convinced that some of our most painful regrets in life will not be about great things we didn’t accomplish but rather about small moments of meaningful interaction with others that we let pass us by.

The saying goes “stop and smell the roses”. That’s so true but how about we also add to it “stop and SHARE the roses”?

There’s someone in your home, on your job, in your church and yes, in your class, that will be forever grateful that you took the time to stop and share some roses with them. That’s a memory you’ll never regret.