Today as I sit waiting for our youngest daughter to finish her modelling and deportment class I have been pleasantly intrigued by the music and variety of people walking in and out of the adjacent building. I’ve discovered its a belly dancing class that people are going to as individuals of every size, shape and age busily wander past me with their colourful, vibrant clothing and carefree laughter flowing through the carpark, and music pumps excuberantly out the doors.
The thing is these dancers all look and sound very happy, which is a nice phenomenon as so many people quite simply aren’t. They’ve obviously found something they enjoy and are uninhibited enough to give it a go.
Unfortunately many people don’t live free or are willing to give new things a try for fear of embarrassing themselves, failing or just feeling so inhibited they can’t seem to move in any new or adventurous direction at all. It’s like the fear of failure and disappointment has stopped them too many times and now it’s just easier to settle into the status quo.
Perhaps the only time you may see people loosen up, come out of themselves and say they’d like to do something new is if they have consumed large quantities of alcohol or other substances. Primarily because when the effects of alcohol and drugs kick in people’s inhibitions lessen and people often dance, sing and share things that they would normally in a sober state successfully hide. Which to be honest is a little perplexing. Why is it that the only time people feel they can be free is when they’ve been drinking or consuming another substance designed to dull the pain, make them forget their worries and bring what’s hidden within them out.
Today however why not go against the status quo and consider how your life could be more colourful, exciting and blessed if you chose to acknowledge, deal with and push past your fears, pain, unhealthy inhibitions and any issues you struggle with so that you could start living your best life. How different would you be it you were set free in an area you know you are stuck in and chose to explore, discover and try new things without needing to drink or take a substance to help you do so.
That I believe is Gods best for us. It’s why Jesus said, “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.” (Matt 11:28-39 Tpt)
“But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect – life in all its fullness until you overflow”. (John 10:10 Tpt)
I encourage you to come to Jesus today and ask Him to heal and set you free so that you can really live your best life.
Prayer: Lord please help to take the lids off my life where I step back instead of stepping forward into everything you want for me. Help me to discover and try something new this week as you heal and set me free of anything that is holding me back. In Jesus name Amen