Updates Are Ready

Every once in a while, I receive an alert on my computer or mobile device telling me it is time to update my software.

This can be annoying because it usually happens when I am in the middle of doing something.

You might say that makes sense since why would I be using the computer if I wasn't doing anything, but I think you know what I mean.  I don't want to stop and wait for the download and upgrade to take place.  The timing is not right.

Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. - John 5:28-29

In today's Gospel, Jesus yells his disciples he has been sent to alert the people of a major upgrade that is coming.  It is ready for download now, but it won't execute until the time is right.

Because we are busy doing something, we really don't want to hear about it.  We don't care if it will solve the things that annoy and frustrate us, remove all the bugs, and set us right.

We just don't want to be interrupted, not now.  Not ever.

But we can perform the minor upgrades now and avoid the consequences of having the major change wipe out our system later.

That is kind of what redemption and salvation are all about.

If we stay current, if we keep our system up-to-date with all the necessary updates and fixes, we will not only run better, but we will be positioning ourselves for a smooth transition to the next generation of technology when it comes.

OK.  Maybe I'm taking this metaphor too far for most.  Not everyone is a tech geek like me, but the message of getting ready, or being ready, for me, ties in well with keeping our systems at peak performance.

You might argue that sometimes the download of a new operating system does little to improve performance, or may even slow things down.  The same could be true when we turn to God and seek his help and grace.  We may need to change the way we function. slow down, accept a different way of operating.

(You see, I can't help but fall back into the tech analogy.)

When we hear about the end time, though, we might get angry, wondering what the purpose of this life is.  Why live with a free will only to be judged for making choices that steer us away from center, away from God?

It does seem to be a bad deal, if we believe we will fail at being good.  But I think there is more to life than a trial or beta test for an eternity of glory versus damnation.  What Jesus offers us is not just a warning.  He is not just the prophet telling us how to fix what is broken in our lives.

He is the upgrade we need now.  We can turn to him and get ourselves into the state of grace now, enjoying the benefits of hereafter while we still walk this earth.

I believe that, and I believe it means we need to shift our focus from what we want for ourselves to what we can do for others.

It is not just about how well I function, but what I do with what I have been given.  To go back to the metaphor, what am I using these devices for?

I may be making great strides to improve my lot in life, or I may be trying to create a better life for those I encounter in this world.  Which do you think is better?

Perhaps we are the upgrades the world needs, and so long as we are waiting to be called to download and run, nothing happens.  But if we stop waiting and trigger some action, who knows what good will come of it?

So, that, for me, is the message.  We can take the initiative to make the improvements now, rather than wait for the whole system to crash and get replaced.

So, excuse me while I restart my system.

More to come...