Trapped in the Fitting Room- Freedom Part 2

I know what you all are thinking...oh, she's going to talk about freedom, no more fittings, we don't need them now. As soon as I started even going in that direction, I heard the lock (or as in most cases of fitting rms, door jam, slider thingys that NEVER close all the way) of the fitting  room door slam shut! That will get your attention! Yep..Now we're TRAPPED in the fitting room and God says we're only beginning.  Are you all ready?

So I was out to dinner with friends for a birthday celebration and this subject came up...and it was that uhhh moment again. The disappointment, anger and then shame you feel  for letting it get to you! I mean there are horrific things going on right  around me and I'm totally shutting down because this stinkin' swim suit did not even come close to fitting, not even for the purpose of "I'll just wear it on my deck or on a vacation  where no one knows me!" I tried on some jeans this week and I'm SURE this designer has never experienced childbirth (most women do not have the hips of a 12 year old) or has known the joy of raw chocolate chip cookie dough! 

Okay we're trapped. What do we do? We try  to make things fit. Pins, glue, duct tape, spray  paint, dry wall, clothes pins and pipe cleaners are just a few examples of getting  an outfit to fit or stay put. We have a legitimate need for the clothes to fit,  but we try every ill-fitting and illegitimate way to make it fit. Even if a makeshift outfit looks good from one angle or position, it doesn't present a whole or complete picture of you. Plus, you can never turn around.  You're confined to a specific role. You are limited. You are bound up. You, yes you, who are fearfully and wonderfully made! Psalm 139:14  God is saying, "Let Me do the work. I have fashioned, created and designed you." Design is defined as "to plan out, intend, purpose". God is truly the master designer. He planned out your life with intention and purpose. Why would we want to mess with that? Why do we keep finding ways to make things fit or work, even temporarily? We love quick fixes. Buy something now that will fit later....or later. 

 Do you all have "goal'' clothes hanging in your closet?  I know you do! You know, clothes with the tags still on, from 2004?  Hey, there's nothing wrong with that! I have a few too! When I just get to a certain place, size or season in life then I'll wear this.  This can keep us from walking in our purpose now! We're waiting for this and that to fit, and comparing ourselves to everyone else around us. We're trying to wear or "be" something that looks good on someone else. Another person's gifting, purpose or path is not ours. It will only frustrate and keep us going back to the fitting room. We're either not DOING anything in order for them to fit, or we're not WALKING in what we're fitted for!

I'm putting away my winter coats, ( yes, I know it's June) because I'm not going to wear them in this season. It would be inappropriate to wear a heavy coat now, but that's what we do when we try and tell God what season we're in. Spring is a beautiful time, new life and hope. But if you're in a fall season, you can't keep the leaves from changing colors, and the wind blowing a little colder. You can't shut down the beauty that is in you.  God has intention for you here and now. If you're not where or what or who you  want to be, stay in the fitting room. Don't be in a hurry. Let Him do His Work. He is measuring  you, pining, and making alterations. Let Him finish what He has started. He is the Author and Finisher of your faith and your life.  And you know what? Life's alterations never stop!  Be encouraged...Janna

Would love to hear everyone's stories regarding fitting rooms. Tell me your funniest and most painful moments. Comment on the blog or email me @ jannapastin@comcast.net

The Fitting Room

Ahhh…the dreaded fitting room...you know, the place where you step into and pray that something miraculous happens before you try that way cute outfit on. Or you drag yourself or have a friend drag you into trying something on with no expectation of ANYTHING fitting. But the good news is that it’s usually all about the lighting and the mirrors, right? I can’t possibly look like this, this lighting is too harsh, and don’t mirrors put on 10 lbs? Or wait is that cameras?  

The fitting room...the place where reality and expectation meet! Because in reality you’re not that person in the mirror...lighting and mirrors are all about enhancement or distortion.  You’re in the fitting room because you’re being “fitted” for the next season in your life. Lighting and mirrors are the way our culture wants us to view ourselves. Thanks be to God, He is our mirror..what we should look like..and covers us with His Love and Grace. We are being fitted for His Purpose and Design. It just takes a little longer than what we expect! Being fitted is not the most exciting process, it’s a sometimes boring, difficult, uncomfortable, irritating, exasperating, and exhausting process! It's a period of waiting on God and wondering if He's forgotten us. He hasn't forgotten us. Thank God, He loves us enough to change us! I know for me the process takes longer because I can't seem to be still and let Him "fit" me!  I'm squirming around, asking questions, second-guessing Him and then wondering why He's taking so long!  2 Th.1:11...We pray for you all the time--pray that our God will make you FIT for what He's called you to be, pray that He'll fill  your good ideas and acts of faith with His own energy so that it all amounts to something.MSG  The NIV reads, "We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. Isn't that good? Okay so the next thing I usually do is go to the dictionary for the definition.."fit"- be suited to; be properly adjusted to; arrange, adjust, well-suited, worthy, qualified, proper, becoming, ready! That will all preach! So normally I would then go to a commentary, but instead go back to the Word for more "fitting". Remember, for the fitting to be accurate, you must stand still..not move before He's finished and trust that He knows what "fits" you. It may feel too tight and confining in some areas and too lengthy or too short in other ways. God may be fitting you for a mantle that will at first feel uncomfortable. It may take adjusting and even sacrificing on your part. Because it is new and and unfamiliar, it may not feel like a fit. That's the moment of surrender when you know you can either humbly lean and bow into the mantle or just stay in the same comfortable clothes! He knows what season you're going into and what you'll need to be equipped. Trust Him. Fitting is becoming!  Part 2 "Fitting is Freedom" coming soon..

Okay my first blog...Have been slow to start..my kids always laugh at me typing... can think much faster than I can express ....hey I'm being fitted! Much love..Be encouraged...Janna