Hunter Christner

We often change the pace of life by going on vacation. That’s what I did last week. It was nice to switch my focus from tasks and meetings to things that I find fun and enjoyable. I went paddle boarding and took a small trip out of town with my family. I’m not sure what it is exactly that you and your family love to do on vacation, but in general, we focus on feeling reenergized afterwards, regardless of the activity itself. A great vacation is like a restart for your mind.

There are other things in life that need a restart every once in a while. When my phone or computer gets slow and stops responding, the first recommendation is always to restart the device. Oftentimes it is effective, if not to fix the problem, to give me a moment to think about what else could be wrong. In a similar way, our soul is a part of us that we operate out of every day. It holds our identity and convictions, which drive our thoughts and actions. We use our identity and convictions to navigate all the situations and relationships in our life. Your soul needs a “restart.” The gospel is the spiritual restart for your soul.

The reason it’s recommended to restart our devices frequently, is similar to why our souls need a restart. In order to function at full capacity, we need a little help to remind us of our purpose. Sometimes our computers get overwhelmed with tasks and open windows. In the same way our souls get overwhelmed with the chaos of life, the news and our do-to lists. It is important to remember the gospel every day. This daily reminder, or “restart,” will help you keep functioning as you press into your responsibilities and relationships. The gospel can be your source of joy when the daily tasks of life overwhelm you. 

The gospel is the good news that Jesus conquered death, and by this he proved that he has the power to give people a spiritual restart. Through the gospel we see that God knows best how to prioritize and sort through our overwhelming chaotic life. When we are reminded each day that we can lean on him to guide us through it as we read his word and spend time with him, suddenly it seems a lot less like we need a vacation getaway and more like we have a fresh start each day. 

(Hunter Christner is associate staff at Campus Ventures in Powell.)