Have you ever had to
restart your phone or computer? It's usually recommended that at the end of the day you
restart your phone or computer to pick up the latest updates. On the computer, you usually get a message that pops up stating that there is a newer version of your operating system. Once you say yes to receive the update, it's usually necessary to restart the computer, meaning turning it off and on again, to officially capture the latest version. It's not a long process. It's simply a minor pause, which allows your operating system to let go of the old and embrace the new. Even with your phone, if you don't shut it down periodically, some of the functions will not work properly. You'll go throughout the day frustrated because it's not working at maximum capacity and seems to slow you down.
Restart means to resume an activity, usually after some type of interruption has taken place.
Reset means to set again. If someone breaks a bone, it is necessary for the doctor to
reset it or put it back into proper alignment before casting it. The word
reset is also used when you're talking about a plant that has been re-potted. You may have been given the most beautiful plant that fills the room with the necessary oxygen to balance the carbon dioxide released in the air. You may water the plant faithfully and watch it grow and brighten up the room. However, you will notice that once it grows to a certain size that it is time to change the potting soil. It's time to change the potting soil when the plant no longer seems to fit inside its current pot. You may ask when will I know that it's time? Oh you'll know alright! When the soil is hardened, it might be time to
reset. You may notice that a day or two after its been watered the leaves begin to discolor and growth seems to be slow, it's time to
reset. When you decide to
reset the plant, it is recommended that you move up gradually to the next size pot. It is also recommended that you water the plant a few days before you decide to replant, in order to minimize the stress. Once you've decided to upgrade, you might notice that the roots are tightly compacted in the container. No worries! Carefully knock the plant against a hard surface to loosen the soil, then pull it by its base and remove it from the old container. Shake off that old soil that was so tightly bound in the confined space and get ready to transfer your plant to a cleaner, larger pot.
The last word is
refuel. My family and I traveled during the holiday season and although we began the trip with a full tank of gas, it was necessary to stop at a gas station to refill the tank along the way. Whenever you fill your tank with gas and turn the car on, the electric fuel pump sends a computer controlled amount of gas through the gas lines to the gas regulator and near the fuel injectors. It's the computer inside the car that controls the amount of gas that is needed to accelerate the car. Then the fuel pump unit sends information to the fuel gauge on the instrument panel of your dashboard to let you know when it's time to refuel. Regardless of the gas octane, whether it is 10% ethanol or premium grade, it will become necessary to stop and
refuel from time to time. If you don't want to call the towing company or stand by the side of the road with that red gas can, you might want to
refuel periodically, preferably before it displays E (empty) on your dashboard.
Restart - Reset - Refuel
You might be wondering...what in the world does restarting my electronic devices, resetting my plants or refueling my car have to do with me? It has everything to do with your upgrade to the next level of your life. As we close out 2014 and move quickly into 2015, it will be necessary to reevaluate where you are and where you would like to go.
You began this past year with a new determination to do better, to eat better, to think higher thoughts and you may have actually done these things. Kudos to you, if you have! But I'd like to challenge you that it's time to dream again and envision something bigger and better for your life. It's time for an upgraded version of yourself. Yes you can still function, but wouldn't you like to function more efficiently and effectively? If you answered yes, then it's time to hit the restart button on your operating system. You are on the right path, but God is saying that there is still more for you. Will you be satisfied with last years' revelations or are you willing to seek God and receive His upgrade? It's not up to Him, it's totally up to you. To receive the upgraded version of yourself, you must accept it, then shut down and reboot your system. Allow your spirit and mind to be renewed. Romans 12:2 says, " don't be conformed to the things of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind". Go ahead...Restart now!
Resetting is a little different because you have to participate a little more in your own liberation. Just as one has to gently knock off the dirt that is tightly compacted around the roots of the plant, you might have to knock some things that have so easily wound itself around your roots. You might need to gently knock off self-limiting thoughts, gently knock off friendships that you have clearly outgrown, gently knock off anything that is causing you to suffocate in your own pot. Once you shake those things, you are ready to receive new soil and be planted inside of a larger, cleaner pot. Now if you choose to stay in the same old pot because it's comfortable, just recognize that all of that familiarity will eventually choke off your roots and cause a slow, agonizing death. Slowly but surely your leaves will begin to wither, change colors and your dreams will eventually die. The larger pot might be a little intimidating, but after awhile you will notice that your roots will appreciate the extra space, adapt to the new environment and begin to grow again. Remember the true beauty of a plant is not in the flowers and greenery that you see above the soil, but rather in the intricacy of the root work below the surface. Go ahead...it's time to Reset!
Finally, you need to refuel! Take a breather, pull over to the nearest filing station and get the encouragement that you need. Each of us has a a different car, which requires its own type of gasoline. If you fill it with the wrong gas, you'll notice that there is clinking or skipping in the engine. The car has a way to let you know that you are out of gasoline. Your mind, body and spirit have a way to let you know when it's time to refuel. If your joints ache every time you move and you seem short of breath after the slightest activity, your body is screaming for you to refuel with the proper diet and exercise. If you don't listen to your body, the indicator on your dashboard will land you right in the doctors office or hospital bed. I'm just saying...you might want to refuel right now! It is easy to tell when your body is sick, but you have to be a little more discerning to know when your mind and soul are sick. Negative thoughts, depressive attitude, self-debasement, fear, anger, bitterness..............you're soul sick and running on 'E'. Don't be afraid to refuel by talking to an encouraging friend; seeking the counsel of a therapist; reading motivational articles and books; going to church where you can be uplifted; aligning yourself with positive people; or praying. This could be the jump start or refueling that you need to take you to your next destination. Don't run from it, because it's necessary. Just as we've noticed across the country that gasoline prices are at an all time low, the refueling that you need is ready and available. You may say, "Sharri, I'm already on E and I'm stranded on the side of the road". Well please allow this message to be your little red gas can for now, to give you a boost, so you can make it down the road to the nearest filling station. I might see your potential and can help you get a little further with what I'm offering in the can, but if you want more for your life, you must drive ahead and then stop to refuel at the proper filling station.
What's the bottom line in all of this? Nothing can be forced on you! It's up to you to restart, reset and refuel. At the beginning of the year, our church always goes on a fast. We like to collectively fast as a church body to display to God that we want Him more than anything else and to start the year anew. (Restart) Along with that, a few of us have decided to do a 10-day cleanse at the beginning of the fast to help cleanse our bodies of unwanted, harmful toxins. (Reset) During this time though, I've also decided to fill my mind with positive readings thoughts and prayer. (Refuel) I recently read an article about vision boards and in the same magazine I read an article where the writer mentioned The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. This is the book that inspired my husband to preach his summer long series, "Challenged to Change". I currently have it on audiobook and oh how it's blessing my soul! I am in the refueling process right now. I am going to continue in the refueling process, so that I can share with you daily words of encouragement during the fast. As God fills me, I will pour into you. Your little red gas can, of sorts....
Ladies and Gentlemen, don't be deceived to do all of your dirt in the next week and then when January 1st hits, you become this angel for a few weeks. Begin the process right now to Restart, Reset and Refuel. Begin to pray and seek God for what you should do. He's ready to upgrade you, He's simply waiting on you to make the decision to hit the button.
Now walk it out.....................................................(preferably to the next filling station)
