Me, Version 2.0….
It never fails. As soon as I have something I NEED to do on the computer, it suddenly runs slow and then a pop-up tells me “updates are available.” I’ve fallen for this trick before- I downloaded the “updates” only to find the computer does exactly what it did before. To me- it wasn’t worth the interruption. Apparently updating software is a little like updating your haircut- no one but you may notice. Or, everyone will notice because it is THAT bad…
I usually argue for a few minutes with the screen and then click “postpone, remind me to update again later”. After an hour of reminder every 10 minutes, I have to repeat the process. I swear the reminders get more ominous… “security patch is now available” “necessary updates, recommended” And maybe once or twice an “update now, or your computer will implode” warning has popped up.
Eventually- the computer’s nagging wins. (Or the cat moves and I can access the keyboard) I update. I click “download”… then hold my breath and wait…(does time actually slow down when a computer updates.. or is it just me?) The box closes. Then, I click the “re-boot now or your identity will be stolen within 6.5 seconds” button… or whatever else the screen (threatens) tells me to do.
I am still leery of the outcome. However, inevitably, the computer re-boots and all is fine. Security patches protect me in ways I don’t understand, and I (usualloy) find the files I was working on, still intact. Version 2.0 proves better than beta. I am relieved and maybe even more efficient.
I’m sure there is some deep psychological reason why I delay the updates… fear of change, fear of the unknown, laziness etc. Whatever the reason, I do it every-time. I delay the update. God and I have been having a similar situation, lately. I sense He wants to do some updating of things (namely, me) … I keep clicking “update later.” Patiently, He pops up again…. reminding me of the necessary updates… I argue about how everything is running along pretty fine and can’t we just leave things as is? Besides… what if we run into problems with the install? Like a loving parent, he persists.
Eventually…. I give up… I let Him update, me- not my hard drive. I listen and hear something in his word I never heard before. I see an attitude in desperate need of changing, I am confronted with a sin I need forgiveness for… or I sense a download of his love and encouragement straight to my heart.
When I finally do allow him to update- the changes may be small, even unnoticeable to others- or they may be dramatic. Either way, I am not the same. I am Me- Version 2.0 (OK- so more like V2,000.0 but you get the point;) I am different.
Today- I have a question, are you clicking the “update later” button with God? Are you afraid of the possible changes, or challenges of the updates He may want to make? Me too. But- I’m thinking, Me V. 2,001.2 could only be, more like Him…….Update is always an upgrade, with God. Let’s let the master programmer make the necessary changes, together-
Dear Lord- I love you and although sometimes I’m slow to respond when you want to bring change into my life and myself… I do want what you have for me. I want to be who you want me to be, and to become what you want me to become. Today— right now— I’m listening. I’m waiting for the updates to download… and if you think it’s necessary I’m to re-boot and have you make me over, again…. I am willing. I trust you. Amen.
Today- I’ll leave you with a video of one of my favorite “update songs” listen….. let it download into your heart…”Change My Heart Oh, God” And let Him change you.
This was really good, thank you.
I thought that was a very interesting correlation. I am guilty of ignoring or postponing God’s updates. Sometimes we are blinded by sin that we’ve allowed to creep into our lives that we don’t even notice the “pop-up window.” Lord, help to to be sensitive to the times You want to improve me for Your glory. Amen.
Thank you for this post!
Please enter me – one last time.
An excellent, well-written post today. Thanks!
Very well written today. Oh how I am guilty of those pop ups and saying “just remind me later”
Just this weekend I had a pop-up. A neighbor called that I do not talk to often. They were in some financial need. I really was not sure if it was right to help or not. You see I was feeling that is all she ever calls for is assistance. So I took this pop-up to God and His words to me were in Psalms 113
v2 The Lord’ name should be praised now and forever. v3 The Lord’s name should be praised from where the sun rises to where it sets.
v7 The Lord lifts the poor from the dirt and takes the helpless from the ashes.
God comes at such great timing! His love endures FOREVER!!!
Change my heart today God, I am listening to you.
Blessings,
Rachel T.
Thank you again and “please enter me today.”
Bless all of those that have entered over the past few weeks.
What a great post!! Thank you for sharing today.
Oh I really love the way you knitted these two ideas together!
I am guilty of both kinds of delays as well. This post encourages me greatly! I’m not sure what I’m afraid of either, but I do think I won’t look at either the same way again.
I know that when the updates come on my computer, I don’t like that I will have to stop working on the project I am in the middle of. I wonder if that’s what I am doing with Him, too….hmmmmm……
thanks for giving me something to think on for sure!
🙂 I feel like this grand finale entry calls for some sort of TA-DA!!! ENTER ME!!!****** with fireworks or something. I just want to thank the contest maker-uppers & the site writers for giving me two gifts 1. The hope that I just might still be able to go, even if this drawing doesn’t work out for me and 2. A daily habit of checking this site for words that will sharpen my spirit for the day. Praise the Lord & Thanks to You!
I enjoyed this post. Beautiful song and video! I often find if I keep telling God to “update later,” he may use a situation to force me to listen. I am working on letting go of fears to really listen and follow his will. I love what you wrote, “Update is always an upgrade, with God.” Amen! I pray I keep that in mind. Blessings!
Pleae enter me today, thanks!
Timing is everything and God never misses. I have laughed out loud this morning as I am smack in the midst of the update process. I spent the last 2 weeks pushing update later. Finally God has won and already I know I am better than yesterday. I thank Him and praise Him for knowing exactly when to send the powerful message “updates available”. I also thank you for listening and reminding me to click update now!
Be blessed today!
Please Ener Me… one last time
Lisa E.
Wow, Tracey. Thank you for that fantastic illustration. I’m in the midst of an update right now and I appreciate the reminder that updates are always an upgrade with God.
Vickie
please enter me today
Awesome post today Tracey! Our pastor said yesterday “How do you react when God surprises you?” With fear, with excitement or do you even notice at all…ouch! I’m blessed with the personality that thrives on change so my prayer is to always say to the Lord “BRING IT ON”! Thanks and please enter me today!
Val
One of the ways that God is wanting to “update my hard drive” is by challenging me in the memorization of scripture. So, this morning, after reading your post, I decided to get serious. Here is the scripture he led me to work on (this will be several day process…)
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And…whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:15-17).
How’s that for an update?!
peace~elaine
I have been in that mode “update later”. For me I just didn’t have the time to set and wait for the darn computer to reboot. With God I was telling him it wouldn’t matter if I was updated or not I didn’t have the time to spend on rebooting. In this case diving in to the word and letting God open my eyes to great and wonderful things. I did give in and let him update me and by doing so it brought my husband to the Lord. How foolish I was to be walking around with an outdated cluttered mind and heart. Now my whole family is experiencing a new system…It is called a “Family working to serve the Lord”. I thank God for his mearcy and grace. Most of all I am glad he never gives up on us.
“enter me”
Last time for those words but not the last comment on your devotions. I am so thankful God placed this site in my life.
May you receive many Blessings this week. Angela
Thank you for the Hope of still going to the She Speaks Conference by giving us the opportunity to participate in your contest. More importantly, I THANK YOU for bringing to my attention, your daily devotions! They have definitely ministered to me!
PLEASE ENTER ME!!!
Please enter me
Thanks!!!!
Tracey,
Delightful as always. I LOVE your kitty on the laptop. I can relate to cats hanging out in strange places… and times of the wee morning hours… *grin*.
Fantastic message. Love you girl!
Tracey, This was SOOO good. I am such a procrasinator in everything. I’m sure I’ve told God to postpone personal updates more than once. How convicting. I want to be ready for those updates whenever they come.
Whenever I get those update messages I almost always cancel them and just wait for my hubby to do it. Maybe I should pay more attention myself!
Blessings, Joanne
******enter me please****
I too am a delayer of sorts when it comes to those “upgrades”. Too much time, too many changes, too many adjustments to try to get acquainted with afterwards. But what I find the most annoying is that when I don’t let the Master Programmer get in where he NEEDS to get in, I start running slower, my systems get overloaded and yes, I’ve even crashed (and burned). Every single time I allow him the full access to make the necessary changes, then I’m recharged and ready to work all the more lovingly, all the better. He empties my cache and cookies of sin and regret, leaving more room for hope and joy. That alone is worth the effort to plug into his system and deleting mine.
Thanks for the reminder that I’m not the one in control. He is.
Enter me please.
Mmmm… I need that constant updating, no doubt. And I thank God for knowing me so well, for knowing what I need!
Peace & Grace,
Sherry
Please Enter me!
I forgot to type “enter me”…
peace~elaine
I have the same exact habit – I always put off installing those updates (in fact I just did it about 10 minutes ago)! Come to think of it, I guess I tend to put off installing His updates too…maybe it is fear of change and the unkown…maybe it’s the bother of interruption…who knows? It all seems silly when you think about it in the face of His goodness and ability to change us in amazing ways, and yet even now I feel myself clicking on “remind me again later”…
Please enter me
I had not thought of those crazy up-dates as a remininder to up-date with my Heavenly Father. Thank you for your post and I will start remembering when a pop up come up on my computer. I had someone tell me not to do any of those pop up’s. I just X out.
Love and Hugs,
Joyce
what a thought…”update later”. Well written and thought provoking!! I choose to say yes to God and look to be updated each morning when I rise!!
Todays post is a blessing-thank you.
In His Graces~Pamela
ps-enter me!!
What a blessing your “contest” for the scholarship has been. I am so thankful for God bringing me to this site.
Thank you for your insightful words and the blessing of sharing your faith.
Please, enter me.
I think I need to be defragmented, cleaned up, recycled, upgraded and please Lord do something about my memory! 🙂
Please enter me one last time…Thanks for the opportunity!
Love this comparison. Bull’s eye. I too so relate to the “remind me later.” Delayed obedience in my life is sin. I don’t want to wait for him to do his work. And yes, I am afraid. What if it hurts? What if he sends me to China? Blah, blah, blah.
But I must say his updates are sweet. All my fears are lies. He is good even in the way he corrects me. He loves me, speaks softly to me. Why do I wait? I miss the “blessing of now” for the sake of “remind me later.”
Thanks for reminding to me seek His face everyday.
Thanks, Tracey,
Tiffany
I am so glad God does not let me get too far before I get my attitude adjusted and press the “update” button! It’s been a tough month for me because I’ve procrastinated and not accepted the update. I’m so happy that I checked in today. I had almost buried the dream of going to the conference, but the Lord revived me.
Please enter me.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Mary
Tracey, thank you for this beautiful post.
Tracey I LOVED this! Awesome post! I could see myself and my computer issues so many times! This was so neat!
that was powerful……. He had to update me this morning as my virus scanner found some attitudes coming from the flesh….. I needed my virus scanner updated…….
thanks for the reminder that we need not be fearful of what the Lord wants to do…… It is always for our better……..
Good stuff. I definitely needed this today!
thanks!
dorinda
**please enter me – one last time!**
As I reflect on your post, I realize that I have learned that updates are needed. I too have my apprehensions. Many of which are for the same reasons you mentioned-fear, lack of patience and one that really hits home lately is laziness. I realize that quite often, the Lord has had to “reboot” me. When I finally stop denying the process, there is a positive change.
In His Grace,
Pam
please enter me.
Amen. Good word.
That was great, thanks! I think I’m in need of an update myself.