I, like many other people, am often upgrading software, cell phone service or some other technology or thing. I was thinking of getting an upgrade on myself? What would that look like? I can’t really download a new body although I can download a diet, try it, and see if I like it. I can’t download more energy but I guess I could order an energy drink or enjoy an energy bar of some kind. I find it would be easy to upgrade other people’s lives if they would listen to my expert advice and apply it to their life. After all, I am always giving my lovely wife suggestions on how she could upgrade. No! I have never thought she should upgrade in the husband category. She has trained me pretty good, I know she would hate to start over and the feeling is mutual.
So how can we upgrade our lives. First, and let this sink in, “God created you and God loves you.” As an exercise write these words “God loves me.” on a sheet of paper and meditate on what that means. We know it is true but we find it hard to wrap our brain around it. God sent His Son to die because He loved us, so we could have life, full and abundant. When a person realizes God’s love and experiences it for themselves it is a huge upgrade. It may take time to upgrade this one because huge upgrades usually take longer.
Secondly, realize that we control our attitude and our attitude controls our happiness. I choose to smile most of the time. I think smiling is an upgrade that many people need to make. Smiling has helped me make friends, get opportunities, and I think exemplifies Christ. He came to give us fullness and abundance. I am not suggesting that a smile is the full and abundant life but I think it is part of it. Choosing to pout, be sad, be angry, complain, condemn and plain not to enjoy life is a lousy choice we make. We need to upgrade!
Thirdly, expressing gratitude is a huge upgrade. We take so many things for granted.Please, do not come to the end of your life or someone elses life with a bunch of regrets about what you should have and could have said to show your love and appreciation. Do it now! Make it a point to thank people for doing little courtesy things for you, thank people for their time, thank them for what they mean to you. Tell them thanks and then tell them you love them. Do it now because someday it will be too late.
Finally, understand that we are created to be an instrument of God. God wants to use us as ministers in His Kingdom. To do that we must be aware of His presence. We must also be obedient to His Word and to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We also need to be available to be used and have enough margin in our life for God. What does margin mean? It means that you have time to do God’s work and to be with God. We all have busy lives so it is important that we build in margin for God. Spend time in his word, in prayer, in meditation, in listening, and in service. It is one huge upgrade that we need to make.
The Bible talks alot about today. It says,” Today is the day of salvation.” It tells us not to worry about tomorrow. And certainly the past will make you proud or envious so don’t go there. Today, is the day of the upgrade. So go for it!