Yesterday my phone told me that I was behind the times and I needed to update the phone’s system. I obeyed and replaced the old stuff with the new stuff, which is guaranteed to be better than the old in terms of security and performance. I am assuming that an “Update” makes the old system “Outdated.” The old system was good in its time, but now it’s not good anymore. It’s outdated.
My wondering was piqued when I opened an email this morning and found one titled: Updated Prayers. It contained new information for members of a church’s Prayer Team as they prayed for the welfare and blessing of people who were in need. And then I thought: does an updated prayer make the former ones outdated?
We update lots of things these days: computers and phones and watches, refrigerators, assault rifles, space rockets, mayonnaise, hiking boots…there’s not much we don’t update, come to think of it. The assumption, the selling point, is that the new is better than the old. We even do it with the Bible: The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) or The New King James Version (NKJV) or The New Living Translation (NLT). My confession: I own and use all the “Updated” versions and I know the reasons for their existence and I’m not complaining about updating things. I’m just reminding us not to be in a rush to “update” the message and the meaning of our faith. I’m in favor of maintaining a careful balance between the foundational old and the forward-looking new.
Yes, Jesus updated the understanding of faith in his time but wasn’t he calling people to rediscover the beauty and power of their heritage. “You have heard it said…but I say to you” could be an invitation to value both directions. Update, I suppose, but not replacement. The call of Jesus for us, I think, is exactly the same: live the values and principles of your faith every day, practice what you have. Make a list of the basic, foundational values, put them on your refrigerator door with one of those little magnets, and then do them. That’s an update.
I’ve had the privilege of knowing several young pastors in recent years. Each is a faithful, hardworking, dedicated servant of Christ. Those of us who are walking the path a little slower than we used to, welcome them and cheer them on. They are the “updates” who will help us find the balance between “the old rugged cross” and intergalactic travel.
That makes 83-year-old guys like me “Outdated.” Not on your life! But I am glad that the path has a slow lane.
Shining Spirit 
Just remember you are capable of still hitting the ‘passing lane’ whenever you want.