Stretched

 

Rocky Mountain Christian Church offers a very unique program that is helping to transform my life. Praise in Motion (Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm at the Frederick Campus) is a movement class that combines body, mind and soul to draw the participants closer to God. It has truly been a great way for me to release the tensions of the day and while doing so, allows me to focus on God and what He’s done in my life. I love Praise in Motion!

 

Daytona 500 004Now I love the praise part. Yes, there are times I wonder if a song is ever going to end. Those times when my legs are burning or my shoulder is screaming at me to stop. But I’ve learned to push through those moments, ask God to give me strength to continue and then I do. I just seem to be able to keep going.

 

But then, we stretch to end the evening. This has been the most difficult thing for me physically. I follow the directions of our leaders. I continue to ask God to give me stamina to finish. But sometimes I just don’t think I can stand another moment in some positions. Now I do. I stick with it, but it is very difficult.

 

At least one of the leaders of Praise in Motion reads my blog, so she’s probably freaking out about now. We are consistently being told to only do what feels comfortable. I do listen. But wait, I have something very important to say about this.

 

It’s real easy to praise God when things are going smoothly right? Every part of life is in sync. There are no troubles or worries. And life is one big praise and worship time. These times of our life are so great!

 

But then we are asked to be stretched. Something happens. You know what I’m talking about. Betrayal. Loss. Disappointment. Anxiety. Change. Failure. And then what? How do you handle life when faced with these issues?

 

Well, we praise God. There is great power in praising the One who has redeemed your soul. Even in, especially in the valleys.

 

What I’ve figured out in Praise in Motion is that when I start to stretch, I stop praising God. I don’t know why, but I do. That’s when I lose my focus, lose my way and wander around in the desert of self-pity, or the quagmire of despair, or the trash heap of gloom. It can be that way in life as well.

 

So today I would encourage you to get out of that desert, quagmire or trash heap and make your way back to God. Praise Him for what you do have instead of focusing on what you don’t.

 

Psalm 34:1 (The Voice) says, “I will praise the Eternal in every moment through every situation. Whenever I speak, my words will always praise Him.”

 

There it is. King David’s words of encouragement for you today. Praise God. All the time. Even when you are being stretched.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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