(And I don’t mean exercise. Well, maybe…)
Each year that I’ve been keeping a journal and spending time with God I’ve heard him speak a theme into my life. Last year that word/theme was ‘Dwell.’ All throughout my quiet time and my reading the word came up in some form or another–WAIT, REST, BE STILL, DWELL– no matter where I was reading.
I had no idea people made this a focus in the blogging world until I ventured in about a year ago.
“What’s your word for the year? What have you decided on?”
Well, I have a word for this year but it sort of picked me through circumstances and the daily ness of life. (And truly, I want words, especially God’s word to actually make a difference in the way I live.)
What piqued my interest about this word was the phrase I heard during the Christmas holidays from “Away in a Manger”…..
Well, what does that mean, I wondered? ‘Fit’? It means to make us ready.
‘Fit’ as in adapted to, suitable for, adjusting oneself–that sort of Fit.
I thought about that often during the holidays and the word has been ringing in my ears on into this new year.
Why?
God is definitely rounding off the very rough edges of me that do not ‘fit’–I am edgy (in a bad way), grumpy (and it ain’t cute), un-gentle (very) and many other synonyms in the family of words like ”unkind”.
And what has brought out this un-Christlike behaviour? Oh, just my flesh fighting with my spirit. The usual. Not only does God want to ‘fit us for Heaven’ he wants us to be suitable to, adapted for and adjustable people on this Earth now.
And how do I know this? Because, I’ve had to be the extra hands and feet my husband has needed (and will need for several months) as he recups from a total knee replacement.
Do you know that if you’re rolling a scooter in front of you to help you walk that you can’t carry your coffee cup?
Or the paper? Or the phone? Or a bowl of cereal? Or………….do you get the picture?
Enter the helpmate. Me. Getting not only my coffee but his, fetching the paper, making an extra bowl of cereal. You’d think he was asking me to lift a car the way I’ve been balking and (silently) complaining.
So the smoothing out, fitting into process has begun, and I’m quite certain it’ll take all year long.
I will leave you with this, a note I made during the summer, reminding me of what God supplies:
Galatians 5:22-24 The Message (MSG)
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Linking with Jen and the Soli Deo Gloria sisters
and with Cheryl for True Vine Abiding
and with Bonnie for Thursday Jams, who’s been away w a y too long. Join us?
Hi Jody! Thanks so much for making my return that much more warm and welcoming friend! So blessed to read your One Word “fit” and hearing you share your heart where God's speaking to you. So good to have this post in the Faith Jam a few weeks ago! Thank you.
Sheryl–it didn't even THINK about 'fit' in that way. Tailoring, yes–how will find the clothes of compassion, kindness, gentleness, etc. (Colossians 3) to fit us unless we do some tailoring? Brilliant!
Love your word!!!
That line has always struck me–fit us for heaven. I certainly need tailoring–rough edges abound.
May your tailoring this year leave you more fit for heaven than you anticipate!
Epiphany is my word for 2013. I am excited to see God revealed in new ways in the coming year.
I think those words will be echoing in my heart (and head) all day–fit us for heaven. I love how you developed this from song to need. My heart cry–worthy of living with God.
Dionne–(and Jan 🙂
Thanks for your kind and sweet words. Bill is doing so much better every day; I believe the hardest days are behind us. God is still honing off rough edges every day….making me suitable for his Kingdom here and later. YOU two are a blessing!
Can I just say you are such a blessing, Jody! My 2013 word is “love.” I did a little study over three days that I would like to blog about soon.
Hang in there with the hubs. You are doing GREAT, I am sure.
I love your one word…not a way I have thought about fit “spiritually speaking.” I look forward to seeing how God uses this word focus to make a beautiful thing transpire from you. Oh, I can only imagine how hard it is for you to be so busy taking care of your hubby that way. I so agree with how you said the smoothing out process will probably take all year long…oh, now I can really relate there! Praying for your ” God-induced fitness” to be a blessing to all around you.
Oh, Nancy–thank you. Jesus loves me through you. And the photo? I wanted one at first of jigsaw puzzle pieces fitting together but when I saw this pile of beach rocks I'd collected and the smooth edges being worn away, I thought that was the picture, indeed.
The Jody I'm getting to know seems fit already! Through your words I “see” a woman who is: 1) sensitive to the Holy Spirit, 2) passionately pursuing intimacy with God and obedience to Him, and 3) consistently honest and humble–two traits in which God delights (Prov. 12:22b, Isa. 66:2b). You are an inspiration to me, because you're not satisfied with the status quo, as fine as it might be. You'll press on until you're as smooth as those stones in the photo at the top! You make me want to press on, too.
Hi Jody – just wanted to stop by and thank you for your encouragement on the last post I wrote. I smiled when I read your post – I too have been contemplating my word for the year – I will blog about it soon. I have been inspired by Ann Voskamp to choose a word … it brings focus doesn't it. Bless you as the Lord 'fits' you for heaven while you serve here on earth x
Donna–thanks for stopping by. Working with “Wordle” is fun…more to come. 🙂
Mary, I was thinking about the Scripture about 'building ourselves up in the most holy faith'–exercising in the Word–a great fitness program indeed.
Thanks for stopping by.
I am excited to see your new word – but I will miss being same word buddies. I love how your word found you. To make us fit for heaven. Fit for His work. Beautiful. I love your wordle. It's great.
Your words make me realize how lacking I am in fitness. I need to shape up!
Becoming fit……..yes, that is the life long process. Thanks so much for your encouragement Marie. It means a lot.
OH, Nancy, how right you are–it is God's power in us each day. God, give me grace to remember that.
(And thanks for the Wordle compliment–finally had time to figure that fun program out.)
We ARE supposed to know some of Heaven right now–yes! I think those small glimpses are what keep me going, the times I have fellowship with my Father and with his people. He is so good.
The renderings in The Message Bible can be amazing. I also like the Amplified. If you look up the Fruit of the Spirit in that transalation it's powerful–so much packed into those words!
Karin–thank you! I appreciate the prayers and the encouragement.
Love, love, love this post! That part of the song has always resonated with me too, but hadn't thought much about the being fit here on earth. In fact, one of the things that was rolling around in my mind, was that the more fit He makes me for heaven (though I believe I was fit the instant I put my faith in Christ…but there's still that sanctification process!) the less I seem to “fit” here on earth. But I totally see what you are saying and agree. In fact, it's not just a year long process but a life long process. Thanks for sharing your heart and your life and your gift of writing.
Love your word, and I especially love where you found it. I am so very grateful that it is God who is at work in me and making me fit for heaven. I wouldn't even know where to begin in my own life.
Happy New Year, my friend. I still haven't decided if I'm picking a word this year. Love your Wordle in the sidebar, by the way!
Liking this a lot…especially the part of not just being fit for heaven, but fit for the work He has given us right now. I am increasingly impressed by their connectedness, almost as though we are supposed to know some of heaven right now–not the singing part, but the communion part. And I think He keeps bringing us back to the place where we can know more of it, like He has you. Bless you, girl.
Jody-I love the word that chose you! I can't wait to see what fruit this word produces in you and through you as you encourage us in the journey with His word! I love that translation of the fruit of the Spirit in the Message…I can't recall reading it before but it gives much more to chew on…here's to becoming more fit in 2013!
What a word! Praying for and with you and excited to see what He will do this year!