UPSIZING

If we look through the Bible, we see that there were a lot of ordinary men who were "upsized" during their lifetimes:

Joseph, a youngster sold into slavery, becomes the prime minister of Egypt;

Moses, a shepherd from a royal family, becomes the great leader of Israel;

David, a young shepherd boy becomes king of Israel;

The 120 believers in the upper room, became empowered by the Holy Spirit;

Saul who rejected the way of Christ, became the greatest evangelist of the New Testament

There are plenty more examples. What would it take for us, today, to be equally upsized?

On muddy roads, the first vehicle that passes creates a track (or rut), and subsequent vehicles will follow along the same track. And because of repeated travel along the same route, the ruts become deeper and deeper and at some point in time, vehicles will get stuck in the rut. Only another vehicle equipped with a tow line will be able to extricate the vehicle stuck in the mud.

A Christian who is stuck in a spiritual rut, continues in the same lifestyle that causes them to be restricted from being all that they otherwise could be in Christ. What is the solution?

Firstly, acknowledge where we are spiritually, and seek assistance from others around us to help in encouraging and praying for us. 

Secondly, as we look at the great heroes of faith, the common denominator seems to be their thirst for a living, daily, walk with the Lord. This is what we should be desiring, if we want to be upsized spiritually. To do this, we need to make Him our first priority, every day.

Thirdly, follow God's word of instruction: Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk (of the word of God), so that by it you may grow up (be upsized) in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:1-3)

One man, who would not allow his past of pain to define his future, was Jabez: His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge (upsize) my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:9, 10)

God will also hear and answer our prayers for upsizing in our spiritual lives.