Christian Word Study for 2023: Wind

Welcome to 2023, J’ogi’s!

Following many Christmas gatherings with family and friends, ushering in the new year at the last and final party of the year was the perfect culmination. At the stroke of midnight, like the winds of change, God blew into existence an instant life reset.  No sooner had the Times Square ball dropped, the highs, lows and in betweenness of 2022 were but a memory and there was nothing I could do to change any of its outcomes.  Tuning my ear to the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne helped me realize how the former God given 365 days were over and it was time to begin fresh. I exhaled deeply into the party favor horn, I let go of what was for all that’s going to be new.

Each year I pray God will grow me more into the likeness of Christ.  I prefer easy lessons over the difficult.  I’d rather enjoy gentle nudges instead of being tested by refining fire.  I never know how God’s going to be moving in my life standing between one year and the next.  His grace is sufficient and I cling to His truths as the breezes of 2023 begin to move me.

For the last two years God has inspired me to do a deep dive into a word.. in His word.  2021 was the word justice.  The prophet Isaiah inspired me with that one because I never really knew what it meant to seek justice.  As I read the bible throughout the year, I’d make note anytime God spoke about the word and that began my annual journey into a word of God.  2022 was light and that word helped me deepen my understanding that Jesus is the light of the world and He’s faithful to chase away the darkness.  As I approached the end of this year, I asked God for the new word, and prayerfully what came up is the word wind. Wind?  It’s probably no coincidence that I’ve been residing for most of my life in one of the breeziest communities, a close second to the state of Wyoming.  Wind has been a constant in my life so it seems appropriate.

Do you use one of God’s words as an annual study?  Like me, perhaps you feel inspired to get a deeper understanding of one of God’s words. Can I offer a challenge?  In the next few weeks, take some time in prayer and ask God to give you a word.  He is faithful to answer, so seek and knock.  Open the door to a subtle nudge and once you’ve got the word look for it in your reading, your life, journal about it and I’d love to hear about all you’ve learned in 2023. You can share my word too, if that works.

Here's just a couple of things I’ve come to know about the word wind:

• In 7th grade a Boulder County chinook wind ripped off part of the roof of our house.  (That was scary); 
• I heard someone say that the Holy Spirit is like the wind because it’s invisible yet we can see the effects of it.  (I love the word picture of John 3:8);
•  “It’s the most flexible tree that sustains the strongest winds” (A phrase I often use in my Christian yoga class when cueing the pose called tree pose);
• Dry conditions and a bad spark, combined with gale force winds stirred up December’s 5000 degree fire storm in my local neighborhoods, destroying all that was in its path. (Wind gives me anxiety);
• Wind pushes the metro Denver brown cloud of smog away and over the plains. (Wind is cleansing); 
• I like to offer encouragement to someone in a tough situation with the phrase my Nan taught me, “there’s never an ill wind that doesn’t blow some good.” (Wind can be both good and bad). 
• When the air smells like Greeley I know snow is in approaching, meaning ski conditions will be great at Eldora (Wind brings weather)

It should be interesting what I learn from this. I’m jazzed to blast into this year.  How about you?  These next 12 months hold within them the excitement of possibility, adventure, opportunity and success yet to be discovered. Realistically, I know there will be troubles but I take heart with my feet fitted firmly in the Word of God and welcome His breezes to blow.  God’s going to use the Frogpose ministry to further his Kingdom and we’re prayerful for His breath of fresh air to fill you with healing in each class.

Join us this Wednesday at noon for a beginner Christian moving meditation as we focus on God's word about wind.  We keep trying to simultaneously offer Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/frogposeyoga/live_videos/and has proved challenging in our new space so please join in person: 8330 W 80th Arvada #1. We'll keep trying to broadcast.

For those of you on the fence about signing up for the 6 week yoga challenge starting January 15, there's still a couple spots available.  Sign up here.

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