I Hope You Dance

Image Credit: Amazon.com

According to Wikipedia, dance is defined as an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting.

When you listen to the words of the song “I Hope You Dance” recorded by Lee Ann Womack, you will hear that it is not just about dancing in the physical sense, but about the act of embracing life and living it with expectation, enthusiasm, hope and determination. Such an emotionally charged song makes you think about time and the fact that you should not waste it on frivolousness and then wonder where the years have gone.

Give faith the fighting chance…and dance!

Video Credit: YouTube

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

1929-1968

“These are revolutionary times; all over the globe men are revolting against old systems of exploitation and oppression. The shirtless and barefoot people of the world are rising up as never before. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light…We must move past indecision to action…If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

April 4, 1967

Out of the Darkness and Into the Light

It is amazing that some people believe what is done in the darkness will remain hidden. Many people are nocturnal by nature, dwelling in the corridors of darkness where they are hidden from the light of exposure. Darkness can leave you blind and lost, spiritually and metaphorically speaking. It can make you feel fearful and insecure. Even in the depths of the blanket of nightfall, without the light of the moon or twinkling stars, you can wander around aimlessly, bumping into or stumbling over the smallest of things that can trigger the most pain.

At times, people and situations want to suck you into their world of darkness, only to keep you hidden from the light of safety, peace, love, revelation and hope! As we follow our Biblical principles, we know that Jesus is the Light of the World. As we dwell in our physical world, pause and examine whether you want to light up someone else’s life or do you want to shadow their world with darkness. It’s clear to see that your attitude, behavior and influence can either brighten someone’s night or darken their day.

Diversion from Distractions

When most of us rang in 2012, we did so with great anticipation, gratitude and jubilation. Come on now, we were blessed and able to see another new year. Thank God for that! After getting up later in the morning on this first day, we were hit with news of the first murder in the city, a story on the front page in a section of the newspaper reporting a bleak outlook on the economy for this year and low and behold, there is an arsonist on a rampage torching cars and homes. A few of the anchors on television said, “Well the new year is off to a bad start!”

After reading the depressing newspaper article and watching the news on television, I listened to a sermon televised by Dr. Charles Stanley that gave the message “Confidence That Conquers!” His main points emphasized the type of attitude that is not conducive to confidence and the positive attitudes that attribute to confidence. He pointed out that we must not confuse confidence with arrogance. Big difference! Here are 3 points that stood out in my mind:

1. We can be self-defeaters

2. Your past should not be in front of you

3. Confidence is based on your relationship with God

If I wallow in the predictions that the economy looks less optimistic this year than before, then I will think that and believe it. If I buy into the notion that this year is off to a bad start because I heard of the first murder and someone setting fires to property that people worked hard to buy, then I will feel depressed and adopt the attitude that this year is really off to a bad start.

I am certainly not naïve to the fact that this year will present some very positive things, and along with it, there will be some challenges. However, I will not mull over the adversity as much as I will keep my focus on what God has divinely designed and has in store for me and for us. I am not insensitive to the tragic things that are happening around me, because we all have and will face tragedy at some point and time in our lives.

So in spite of the not-so-great news on this first day, there was the first birth of the new year, the excitement of the people who celebrated the new year all around the world and the fact that I was blessed and able to rise and see a brand new day that I never witnessed before. That is hope! That is my start, my “good” start to a brand new year!