Refreshing +2

This week has involved  a lot of renewing, refreshing, recommitting and now it’s time for some reviewing.

Both on this edition of “Becoming Today”, and in our lives. How has this first week of “+2” fared for each of us? How are we doing along both our shared paths and our individual goals?

Earlier this week I offered some other queries for you to consider. You can revisit them all here, in case you missed them, I want to highlight a few for you to consider again ( or possibly for the first time) today: 

What makes you truly feel like yourself?

Are you living an authentic life?

What is the one thing you absolutely would do, if you knew you could not fail?

How do you feel connected?

What inspires you to be connected?

What prevents you from forming a connection?

How do you allow others to connect with you?

What does a true connection mean to you?

Looking back, or perhaps behind ourselves in the looking glass, we reflected upon the concepts of taking steps to  Free Yourself, Understanding Forbearance, accepting Graceful Timing, and embracing meekness. 

This is one area I think we need to work on bringing  to the front of our consciousness for to be truly tender is fierce. 

Too ofen the world uses meek focusing on being submissive and equating that to being weak. However, that couldn’t be further from the Truth. Yes Truth – with a capital “T”. 

In the Scriptures we learn about the strengths of being meek, and the rewards we can be expectant of for our obedience. 

In Matthew 5:5, you can read, “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth”.

Taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, this verse is one of the Beatitudes. Simply defined beatitude as an extreme form of happiness. “The noun beatitude refers to a state of great joy. Being blessed, or at least feeling blessed, is often linked to beatitude.”

Beatitude comes to us from the Latin word beatus, defined as being both “happy” and “blessed.” In the Bible, the Beatitudes are a series of eight blessings.” Some sources indicate that in  the late 1950’s writer Jack Kerouac came up with the nickname “The Beat Generation” because he felt its members, referred to as “Beatniks”  , were individuals seeking beatitude.

Jesus used the term meekness in the Beatitudes, as a description of those who were blessed, not those who were timid, weak or push overs. His use of the word was in line with the term-gentleness, and used as an impetus for trusting God to win the battle instead of taking extremes into our own hands to attempt to win on our own terms. 

The concept of being meek is often described as “strength under control”. 

Having the ability to temper our emotions, remain patient, steadfast in our faith and trust. Now that’s extremely bold behavior given some of the tests we face on a daily basis. 

That’s why I’m willing to declare that Meek is the new Bold.

Bold does not have to be loud, obnoxious or in their face. Bold can be realized, renewed, revitalized as being an active proponent of right. “Becoming” one who is willing to firmly stand their ground, with resolve, empowering the courage of conviction as our strength, supported by faithfulness and trust.

I also shared this week about a slow paced, quiet tranquil morning. With a cold front bearing down upon us, rather than the day heating up, as the sun rises- temperatures are dropping and will continue to fall.

Old man Winter is indeed reminding us of his presence, and purpose.

While this season is a time of dormancy itt is also a very enlightening time if you choose to accept it. Winter allows us to go within where we are suddenly made aware of the possibilities of new life, new ways and yes a new us.

In the Scriptures,  the passage often referred to as “A Time For Everything”, outlines the many changing seasons we all experience in life. It outlines the constant cycle of “Becoming”. In fact 28 specific times or seasons are mentioned  in this one passage. 

Now on “Becoming Today”, as part of our examination of ourselves and our shared paths we’ll  take note that not included in those examples is a very important aspect;  none of the 28 mention a time to quit.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, is perhaps so revered and often quoted because of its poetic approach towards life. It balances 14 distinct elements we all experience at one time or another, and some more than once. It reinforces our constant state of Always Being “Becoming”.  

It teaches and reminds us that life is a mix of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, harmony and struggle, and life and death. Each season has its appropriate time. 

Some are difficult, and still we know that we must never give up and continue on in Faith, trusting in God, believing his plans for us are always based upon  good purposes and joyful outcomes. 

Included among the lessons learned in studying these verses is that we  are to accept each day as a gift from the hand of God because He has a reason and a time for all things. 

There is much wisdom to be gained in understanding this concept of 

“There is a time for everything, / and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

When we live our lives in faith we are “Becoming” our destinies as we comprehend and embrace the power in always trusting God. Our lives truly reveal their meaning and purpose when we rely on His wisdom, timing and goodness.

\I hope and pray each of you are determining and embracing your own seasons of renewal. I believe that those who truly need to hear these words find them either here, quoted elsewhere , or on the podcast. 

Much of “Becoming” involves embracing the need for change, it is the only way in which we can truly grow, develop and realize our potentials – both individual and combined.  

Life is a process. A repetitive one. We learn, grow, become then question, learn, grow and continue “Becoming”.

As we continue to walk this path together, be willing to question yourself and answer truthfully. ‘Becoming Today ‘ requires focus, concentration, dedication and hard work, but it only requires strengths we all have within us. 

In the meantime may you have a safe and blessed weekend and come Monday we’ll meet again for another conversation here on “Becoming Today”.