During a pastor’s and leader’s retreat session focused on spiritual renewal, the facilitator tasked us to spend 30 minutes of quiet time with God in our hotel rooms then return to the group to report what we had seen, heard, or felt God wanted us to speak as encouragement to the group. This verse came to mind as I waited for God’s response: Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV). I sensed God wanted to address issues relative to disorder and confusion that were creeping into leaders’ minds and beginning to obstruct the effectiveness of their ministries. Since my technological position then included computer software analysis, I considered how information overload affects computer systems’ cache memory and how that might relate to us spiritually.
“Restored For the Journey” watercolor and ink by Ann Jackson
Many are familiar with the term cache, where website or application data is temporarily automatically stored on a device, enabling easier retrieval of the data the next time you visit those sites or applications. However, data can occupy valuable storage space as it builds up. If you do not clear the cache systematically, sometimes essential data required to ensure your operating system performs correctly might get corrupted. Removing obsolete information from the cache on time may prevent your computer from performing considerably slower or crashing. Also, once the cache memory is full, old data doesn’t allow space for you to load up-to-date versions; they will only be available once you’ve cleared the cache.
I returned to the meeting assured that God’s encouragement to the group was that it was time for leaders whose ministries felt stagnant, in limbo, or mired in routine to clear their spiritual caches–to trash unhealthy habits, relationships, attitudes, thought processes, lies, and plagiarized content from others they had made their own. With memory bytes again available, the Holy Spirit would fill the newly created space with fresh content for leaders, restoring relevant and vibrant ministries.
A lethargic operating system due to cache overload limits our capacity to move powerfully and with the clarity God desires. God doesn’t want a memory that points back and gives quick access to older versions of who he is and his perspective on our ministry. Instead, He wants us to access the latest version of His plan for us. Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Isaiah 43:18-19 (MSG)
Joyce Olsen (Sonrise Magazine Editor) Author. Majored in Child Psychology and Elementary Education at Biola University and Fresno State University in California. However, her natural bent seemed to better match business and administration. In those fields, she worked in corporate administration, church administration, and also as an Information Security Analyst in the medical field. The focus of her writing is to inspire and provoke thought.
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