There are seasons in our lives when we start to crave an upgrade, whether in specific areas or more generally. During such times, we may feel a rising tension that compels us to seek more, do more, or be more.
This tension drives us to read books, watch videos, and try new things outside of our comfort zones. However, during this transitional period, many of us often make the common mistake of fixating on the external aspects of our upgrade. We believe that the first step is to go shopping for all the fancy things that will make us appear more leveled-up, like the “IT GIRL.” But there is more to it.
So, where and how do we begin to level up?
Image by @ciara
What does it mean to level up?
When it comes to the concept of leveling up, there are two thought spectra that exist. While some of us view the concept of level up as a journey that begins within, some of us tend to make it more of a superficial journey. For those of us on the latter spectrum, the mental pictures we have of what it means to level up, are images of the material things we need to acquire to be considered leveled-up.
This construct has made us believe that we are who we are by what we have, the people we date, the places we go, and the clothes we wear. Some of us have made the essence of leveling-up a materialistic affair when it is more of an inward journey - a spiritual journey.
Why is it necessary?
The concept of a life upgrade or leveling up is not new. It is as old as the Bible, and if you look through the scriptures, you will see many instances where men and women went on a level-up journey for God’s purposes. Esther’s level-up journey is a very popular one. She went from being an orphan slave to a well-respected queen. David went from being the shepherd boy to a king, and Mordecai went from sitting at the king’s gate in rags to being the king’s second in command. Jesus himself went from being a carpenter’s son to the one seated at the right hand of God. There are so many of these level-up stories in the Bible. If we read between the lines, we see that the purpose behind their level-up wasn’t for their selfish reasons or a need to prove a point. But, it was for a purpose greater than them.
If you desire to upgrade and can sense God calling you into a new level of life, it’s for a purpose greater than yourself. The mistake we make too often is making the level-up journey about ourselves alone. We make decisions to be better or improve our lifestyle for selfish reasons that keep God’s purposes out of the equation. When we do this, we fall into the temptation of greed, self-exaltation, lust, unhealthy competition with others, and much more.
Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed, because one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the material goods he possesses.” Luke 12:15 TLV
God’s approach to a life upgrade - An inside-out approach
An inside-out approach to transformation is also a business model used by many entrepreneurs. With this model, they begin with the resources they already have, to work their way toward a desired outcome. This model, used by most corporations, has yielded great results.
The inside-out approach also works well with personal transformation.
Luke 17:21 AMPC, “...the kingdom of heaven is within you.”
Whenever I read this scripture, I am always reminded that the upgrade or level-up I am seeking begins first within. To go within is to go back to your creator, God, and seek His face on how He intends for you to navigate your level-up. In seeking, you will get transformed in spirit, which eventually translates outward.
Where do you begin ??
Everything on earth begins with God. The first few words in Genesis 1 clearly state, “In the beginning God…” which means anything done outside God is a vain pursuit. Your desire for a life upgrade is valid, but let the purposes of God be the main reason for this upgrade.
Why your spiritual health is the first place to begin
We all have a spirit, and everything that manifests in the physical begins in the spirit. Neglecting the spiritual dimension of your growth and solely focusing on the physical is akin to applying lipstick to a pig. While you may appear regal on the outside, eventually, what lies beneath will surface.
In conclusion, if you aspire to level up, start with God. How do you commence with God? Deliberately seek to know Him, to love Him, and to allow Him to effect a transformative change from within and throughout your being.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 ESV
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