Restore Default Settings This Instant!

Restore Default Settings

Technology is a beautiful thing. Until it flips out.

Maybe you’ve experienced the joys of having your computer or otherwise twenty-first century gadget go berserk on you. The message flashing in your face: RESTORE DEFAULT SETTINGS. You had everything personalized to your liking, but something happened and now the machine is returning to its original state—its default settings. You must bid farewell to your favorite color scheme, your fun fonts, and your own little greeting that said, "Welcome, (your name here)! You are one good-looking genius and it is my pleasure to serve you today!" (Or whatever it is you tell your toys to tell you when you turn them on.) But at some point you must have hit the wrong button because now the thing wants to turn off all of your personalized settings and RESTORE DEFAULT SETTINGS. Annoying.

Too frequently, I hit the wrong button (usually a setback or disappointment) and return to my default settings of doubt, negativity, self-sufficiency, pride, and pessimism. They feel natural. It's just EASIER to be and/or do these things. It's what my flesh defaults to.

When I'm not plugged in to my original Source, my fleshly preferences fight to rule me. And, sadly, they often win. That's because my flesh (my human nature) is so powerful. Especially when I'm weak. When I am weak, my flesh is strong. And my flesh is all about the ugly things I'm not proud of.

But my spiritual default settings are completely contrary to those of my flesh. When I am plugged in to my soul’s life Source—Jesus Christ—then I am plugged into the default settings by which He intends me to live. They include loving others. A deep and abiding joy. Incomprehensible peace. Gracious patience. Uncommon kindness. Nonstop goodness. All good things. All of the things for which I was originally created. These are God's default settings, not mine. Sometimes I just have to check my wires to make sure I’m plugged into the right outlet.

When you find yourself responding "by default" with negativity, rudeness, and selfishness, which outlet is your cord plugged into? Your ever-present SELF, which will forever claim that only YOU are the beginning and end, the only being worthy of your time and attention? Or are you plugged into your TRUE source, the One who created you and will feed you with more love, joy, and peace than you could ever find on your own.

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23