01/20/2023
If you haven't watched The Minimalists (Less Is Now) on it's a great . Although God isn't acknowledged at the center of their , God is definitely at the center of their and .
The past several years, I've listened for Holy Spirit to clue me in on something he'd like me to on as I enter the new year. I don't consider it a resolution, just an ingredient needed, to add to the recipe of my life. This year, He spoke two specific things. Well, one was a statement and the other was a directive. For the sake of sharing, I'll tell you the statement, which has less to do with the reason for my post. However, I know there is a correlation. It'll make sense, I hope, when I stop delaying the point😜.
The statement Holy Spirit said to me, was that this year, is The Year of the Sanctified Woman. If you're not churchy, sanctified means set apart or declared holy; consecrated. And free from sin; purified. God is calling his daughters to the forefront. Specifically, you, that truly love God and people as well as you, who have quietly been spending quality time with Him just to get to know Him for yourself. The who is set apart and declared holy by God will speak and demonstrate, in love, with boldness, God's word at home, in church, on the job, and in their communities. In truth and love, is the differentiator. We will start the next movement of in small circles around the world. I didn't mean to go into depth on the statement but you got it anyway. Moving on...
The directive was Trim the Fat in my life. I knew Holy Spirit was speaking to every area of my life, mentally and physically, even spiritually. What does that look like? If it doesn't add value or bring me joy; and if it's creating a deficit or weighing me down, I need to let it go.
Real Examples:
Every paid subscription that was not adding value or not giving me a return on my investment - I canceled at the beginning of the year. I still have a couple more to do.
Also, being on multiple social media platforms was overwhelming and weighed me down. Holy Spirit told me what to keep and what to let go of and I listened.
In church, where to serve and how much to do. Not doing just to do but having Holy Spirit led intentionality. Saying yes and no, unapologetically, in church!
I have been going through things at home and making hard decisions of what to let go of and going through draws to clean, discard, and organize. I have SOOO much more to do. I always edit my closet yearly and donate at least 2 bags of clothes, shoes, and accessories, but I may have to go back in there once more to let a few more items go.
I even have to trim the fat off my body...not with a diet but with a lifestyle change. This will take lots of time and discipline to see the physical changes but I'm going to run this race with perseverance so I'm ok with results over t.i.m.e...!
Now, the correlation to the show referenced at the beginning of this post...it was all about letting go of excess and finding true joy (they said happiness). They mentioned how we have been programmed to believe that success is how much stuff you have or can afford to buy. And that you deserve to get stuff right now, why should you wait? And that we're conditioned to compete or keep up with our social group. They have statistics and such in their documentary to support these statements. They also shared how they became minimalists. Watching it confirmed that I'm on the right path for me, at this time, and made me want to pick up the trimming pace.
At the end of the program, was a . I won't share it here BUT if you watch it AND you want to JOIN ME in trimming the fat in your life (be it people, things, sin) I am happy to be your ACCOUNTABILITY
PARTNER.
I started a pilot accountability group last year called on an app called Signal. I know the Lord told me it's time to open it up to others who need and want , and to follow through with individual assignments and personal goals.
My small group accomplished so many things last year, it was a blessing! If you don't need to trim the fat but you want to be more productive, you can join PUSH as well. It's all about focus and productivity!
Now, why The Year of The Sanctified Woman also correlates to this post, she has to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And run with perseverance the race marked out for her, fixing her eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of her faith - Hebrews 12:1,2 (I took the liberty to swap in the words she/her).
The connection here...as I trim the fat in my life, there is less distractions, burdens, and sin to deal with that frustrate my destiny. I am able to patiently and consistently fulfill my life's assignment with clarity because I can better focus on Jesus, who is the reason I even have purpose. Only he can lead me to fulfillment through Holy Spirit in me.
So...if you got through this post (You're Amazing) and you're serious about taking action to transform your life, and you want a supportive to hold you accountable (I know it helps me), you can leave me a comment below. We'll start off in my FB Group - I'll tell you how to join!
Blessings to you all! Here's to Trimming the Fat! It's all about a lean and clean lifestyle! Corny, I know🤪
