✝️ Reboot Your Life

Author: Casey Benefield
Just another dude trying to figure it all out.

I know what you're thinking. You've heard the Jesus spiel a million times. Keep reading. There's a point to this, we promise. No churchy fluff / jargon.

Let's talk. Where are we now?

We both probably feel the same about how things are.

Something feels.... off.
Deeper than politics. Deeper than religion.
More like the background noise of the whole world is wrong.
It's like a low-level hum of anxiety, anger, and exhaustion that never shuts off.
Yeah – that feeling. A disturbance in the force.

You're probably fighting it best you can, but you still feel like you're in survival mode.
Not thriving, but getting through the week. Still tired, stressed, carrying more than you were meant to.

Here's where I tell you my life is now perfect, right?
Nope.

I'm human too, and I still deal with the same stuff.
One thing is clear: there's less mercy out there. Less patience.
Less basic kindness. Even from people who say they believe in God.

Ask them why they believe – and many don't really know.
That matters.

So what's actually going on?

Truth: The world is broken. Not functioning as designed. So are we.
It isn't broken by accident.

The Bible is a great historic text that gives insight into the situation. Same feeling, same brokenness, thousands of years ago, BEFORE Jesus.

"All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him"
--Isaiah 53:6 (NASB)

What's really interesting is, that was written well before Jesus showed up, but still speaks of the same dude. This is comparing US to sheep, which are pretty helpless when they get in real trouble - they can't help themselves, they just do the wrong thing sometimes. Sounds like us.
Note: The fact that this text exists prior to Jesus tells us, our rescue plan was already being prepared for.

The world was broken not because we're stupid. It isn't because we're villains.
It's because something inside us is not right, misaligned, bent, or missing.

We were designed for truth, purpose, connection, and love. Instead, we chase control, comfort, status, and survival. This shows up everywhere: Relationships, anxiety, anger, guilt, and numbness.

The Bible also has a diagnosis: This is a fallen world.

"For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pain of childbirth together until now"
--Romans 8:22 (NASB)

In context, it's a metaphor about the present reality and future hope.
The world experiencing pain, from a longing for something missing, dealing with the effects of decay, the misalignment (called sin)... and awaiting the ultimate redemption that repairs this condition, restoring life as it should be.

Problem isn't "out there," it is in us... or rather, what isn't in us.
That's the part that no self-help, money, politics, good intentions, has ever fixed.

Consequence: We have a terminal illness. An issue we can't fix on our own.

Unlike an old iPhone that stopped working right, our creator didn't intend on us to be discarded into the trash incinerator.

This is where Jesus comes in.

Being a Christian isn't about being good, saying churchy things, or putting on the happy face every Sunday morning. In fact, it's the opposite.

This is God's conspiracy with his son, to form a rescue mission, to save us from being discarded for all eternity, and to repair us - forever.

The Bible told a long story. Humans broke the relationship, betrayed God's trust.
God didn't walk away.

God stepped into the same mess we're in, Himself. John (the Apostile), in his dealings personally with Jesus/Yeshua recalls what happened:

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
--John 1:14 (NASB)

Footnote: "Glory" is simply meaning power, honor, perfection, authority over creation being witnessed with ones own experience - evident and tangible.

The key moment:
God entered human history through Jesus to fix what we couldn't fix ourselves. Next, Jesus absorbed the damage of our choices (sin), so the relationship could be restored.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
--Romans 5:8 (NASB)

Jesus lived the life we were supposed to live – aligned, whole, in truth, perfect.
Then, he took the consequences of our brokenness onto Himself.

Not a tragedy - this was intentionally stepping in, and taking the fall for us.
His resurrection wasn't symbolic. Too many corroborating witnesses.

Jesus proves that this world's brokenness doesn't get the final word.

Q: What does this have to do with ME though? What do I do?
A: Be a believer, or a Christian.
Oh, is that all?

What does becoming a Christian really mean?

It's simpler than most people make it. You don't clean up first, nor do you join a church. You don't change your personality.

It starts with honesty.

1. Admit something is broken.
   Not just in the world, but in YOU. You've probably done some messed up stuff. I know I have.
   (Romans 3:23 - Paraphrasing "all have sinned") We've all done something wrong, and we also knew it was wrong.
   
   We're broken, sin is a betrayal, which causes an all-powerful creator to hurt, like God lost a loved one. Well, that's the point, you ARE the loved one.
   Here's a word given to Christians, about sin's impact.
   (Ephesians 4:30 NLT - "And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.")
   
2. Believe. Trust Jesus to fix what you can't.
   Jesus's life, death, and resurrection actually matters - for you. Enough to declare it, enough to act on it.
   
   (John 1:12 NASB - "But as many as trust in Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.")
   
   (Romans 10:9 NASB - If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.)
3. Choose to follow Jesus, over self.
   Not perfectly, just honestly. Direction, ongoing trust, choosing Jesus's way. Baby steps. A process, not a "ok I'm a Christian now, transport me now please."
   
   (Matthew 6:24 NASB - No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other...)
   
   This doesn't mean you stop thinking, questioning, or being yourself. It means you stop pretending you're good enough to run your own life.
   
   Note: What is choosing Jesus? A good place to learn is in the Bible. Suggest reading to look for truth and understanding, for you. Nobody else.
   

If you want this, it's a matter of making a call. A simple prayer.

This isn't a formula. It's just a way to put words into a real decision.
If you pray it, mean it, believe it, act on faith and what you believe in your words and daily life.

Hey God, it's me.
I know something in me, and all around me is broken. I know what sin is, and I know I've done it more times than I can count. Please forgive me for what I've done.

I believe Jesus is who He said He is, and that he stepped into this fallen world to rescue me, from my sin.

I'm choosing to trust Jesus over myself. Take the lead in my life. Come live inside me. Teach me how to follow. Help me start fresh.
In Jesus's name, I ask and pray, Amen.

Becoming a Christian, a believer and follower of Jesus isn't a performance. It's a decision.

If you prayed something like that prayer, and you meant it, the direction of your life just changed. It may not feel like anything changed yet. You're new.

Ok, now what?

Take a breath.

Don't overthink what just happened. Nothing was "earned," a new personality wasn't unlocked, you aren't suddenly perfect, and.... there's absolutely no pressure to start talking churchy jargon! 😄

You've switched who's in charge, and everything else unfolds from here. Growth comes next. Slowly, honestly.

Start listening before you start doing.
The next step is to learn Jesus's voice, how he treated people. The book of John in the Bible is a good first-hand account of who Jesus is, and how he handled things. Read a small section at a time. You're not studying for a test, you're figuring out who someone is. Understand them.

There are lots of apps and physical Bible options. Don't get caught up in hard-to-read KJV translations. NLT is a decent option. Worrying about translation comes when you're looking for deep, deep meaning LATER.

Prayer? Talk to God like a real person.
You don't need special words. I like using Amen to signal "this message is SENT, and now I'm waiting for the answer." It can be silent prayer, or it can be out loud.

If you're not understanding something, say it. Struggling? Ask for help. That honesty is the priority here - not polish, or a show.

Expect resistance - including from yourself.
You're going to feel pulled toward old habits, old thinking, and old reflexes. That doesn't mean the prayer didn't work. It means you're human.

Following Jesus isn't about not failing - it's more about who you turn to, and the direction you are headed, and making an honest try again.

Find people who live this quietly and honestly.
They won't be loud, performative, or perfect.

Look for people who are humble, listen more than they talk, are patient and kind with people, and admits when they are wrong. You can tell - that's what it looks like when it's real.

You might find yourself in situations where you have a chance to bring light, to be that someone to pull someone out of a situation.
That's your go-time, to bring change to someone's world, showing life is worth living. Show that someone out here does care.

One last thing...

I'll try to set something up where you can reach out and ask questions. If I don't know the answer, I'll try to find out! I'm a nerd like that.

If you're unsure, that's ok. Still have questions? Expected. If it feels fragile, that's normal.

A reboot doesn't mean everything is fixed. It means the system (you) are now pointed in the right way, finally starting to let go of garbage things that held you back.

That's how a change actually starts. Starting fresh, you're a new creation, with new possibilities.

It's a good idea to find a church gathering, maybe with a friend that you trust.
Note; You are the church, not the building.

It's totally ok to watch for, and consider if a church congregation is faithful to Jesus, and his way. It's ok to seek guidance from people you trust.

If you don't have somewhere, Church of the Highlands here in Alabama is a bit unique. Check out some streaming.
https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/

Christmas services are a sight to see, and tells the same story of God's rescue plan for us in a little different way. Music and performative art to tell the story - not the same as your typical worship service, preaching, or church-choir special.