Total Reboot
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
In computer jargon, a reboot is necessary when all that cyber gunk has our computer running less than optimal. The cookies, from the sites visited, begin piling up in some folder on the hard drive and needs to be emptied. The history, from the sites visited, becomes a long dated list of every web site viewed or researched over the course of a week, weeks or months on your computer. Information on the hard drive becomes so out of whack that the disk defragmenter should be run at least once a week. Not to mention that if your computer security system isn’t up to date, McAfee is the most common, then your computer is at risk of being hacked and inviting the latest worm or virus to take up residence inside the motherboard. All of these things, and probably more that I’m not aware of, cause your computer to run slow. It’s like watching paint dry as you wait for a page to load. Then, after 15 minutes or more, you get so frustrated, begin rolling your eyes and mumbling not so nice things under your breath about this piece of modern technology that is supposed “to make life easier.” Finally, the last straw… Crtl…Alt…Delete to force a reboot.
Despite being human beings, we aren’t that much different from computers. I mean, we don’t have artificial intelligence and can do things without being told. Also, we can move about freely and do things that bring us enjoyment, however, many of us can benefit greatly from a total reboot. As a new year is ushered in, take inventory of the things you’ve done in 2015 and the crop they’ve yielded. Think about those things that pained you, but instead of reevaluating the situation, you kept ramming your head into that thing, determined to make it work out your way. Think about the business venture you started, that crashed and burned and how you handled it. A new year brings with it a new opportunity to renew those spiritual and mental batteries and start over, figuratively speaking of course.
[pullquote width=”300″ float=”left”]As a new year is ushered in, take inventory of the things you’ve done in 2015 and the crop they’ve yielded.[/pullquote]A new year can be the difference in repeating old patterns of behavior that yielded the same results or an honest heart and soul check and positive changes (Jeremiah 29:11). If you don’t check yourself, you will always blame others, will continue taking the long way around (Joshua 5:6) and never come to the realization that without God’s guidance, those things of old will continue to run rampant in your life. That 2015 life plan will cause pretty much the same stress, distress, desperation and chaos and continue ruling your day to day life and decisions made. Romans 6:4 states: We were burned therefore with him by baptism into death (our old 2015 selves), in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
By rebooting our spiritual and mental lives, we commit to leaving behind those things that made 2015 a so/so year (2 Corinthians 5:17). Starting over and committing to make whatever changes necessary is essential to a total life reboot. As I sit writing this, I’m thinking of 2016 and the additional goals and dreams I want to bring to life. Sometimes it’s necessary to see those things to feed our drive and will. For that reason, I’ve created a vision board to call into existence those things I want the New Year to possess. A vision board is the beginning of a mental shift; unclogging the brain from all the crud that keeps me from fulfilling and completing some things in 2015. I acknowledge that God alone can help me reach the goals for 2016 to be the best year of my life yet. Who needs New Year’s resolutions when God is the author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2)? If I do my part, God will more than gladly do His part (Matthew 7:7).
Additionally, surrounding yourself by women who are mature in Christ, wiser and successful in their chosen fields is necessary. Interacting with these women forces you out of your shell if you really want to grow spiritually and mentally. These women will encourage you on those days you’ve lost some steam and are puttering around (Hebrews 10:24). They will hold you accountable for making the moves and changes needed to reach the goals and dreams that were verbalized in their presence. They will remind you of the wise woman found in Proverbs 11:16 who built her house on wisdom. They will also help you remember that, although you do want to present your physical self well, the inner woman is the most important aspect of who you are (1 Peter 3:3-4).
So, what changes do you want to take place in 2016? Will you do a total reboot and become the woman God has created you to be? Will you challenge yourself in ways that change and growth can’t help but be the reward? I’ll leave you with this… no matter how 2015 shaped up to be, it doesn’t define you. 2015 does not mean you are a failure or incapable of shining in the new year. If you are willing to put in the work, trust and believe that God’s got your back, kick fear to the curb and follow your dreams, you just might be amazed at the woman staring back at you in the mirror. Allow God to show you just how good a total reboot is for you and all the women He intends to cross your path.
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I need a reboot! Sometimes I get so bogged down in my failure and that “why should I even try” attitude. This is the perfect post for me! Thanks, Denise.
Jen,
I think we all have those moments; I know I do. The first step is admitting them and doing something about them. We’re all works in progress :).
Thank you for this encouragement, Denise! Love the wisdom shared here, especially about surrounding ourselves with sojourners on a similar path.
Gretchen,
It took me YEARS to get to that point. One day God showed me that we aren’t put here to go through things alone and are to spur one another on. It’s a process, yet, God strategically puts the right women where they need to be in our life.
Love the paragraph about surrounding ourselves with wise women who encourage and hold us accountable. I like Gretchen’s word to describe these women better than mine…sojourners. Posse came to my mind – ha. Traveling together brings indescribable riches.
YES! Posse is a wonderful word that reminds me of the wild west. Women then stuck together and we’ve gotten away from it.
Choose to be in close proximity to people who are empowering, who appeal to your sense of connection to intention, who see the greatness in you, and who feel connected to God. ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer
Or as I tell my teens/young adult kids- if you surround yourself with 4 idiots, you’ll be the 5th (LOL) so be intentional about who you are spending time with.
Love so much about this post Denise. I have a vision board too, with God in the center. With him in the center of our thoughts and actions, so many things are possible.
Tara,
YES! I’ve sought out accountability partners before and they always flake on me. Now I have a dedicated accountability partner in the founder of a women’s magazine I write for and a mentor who is nationally renowned. God is all about surrounding me strong Godly women who are all about progress. Never did a vision board before, however, it is great inspiration to me and I’m confident more than half of the contents will be accomplished this year.
“I’ll leave you with this… no matter how 2015 shaped up to be, it doesn’t define you.” Thanks, Denise. This re-reminded me that dwelling on the past just doesn’t help anything in the future. You see forward if your neck is turned backward! And i re-started my idea/vision boards – used to do them all the time, with every idea that popped into my head. But I got away from them, because…well, you know. Not accomplishing started defining me!! No more, girl! Carry on, tribe of warriors!!
Diane,
Exactly! It happened and can’t be changed…learn the lessons and move forward. It’s hard sometimes, but The Bible says that no amount of worrying can change anything.