| "Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance". | | | | corner or getting in the way of anyone who |
| Sounds like fun. And it is! It's a song by a group | | | | comes by. Or worse yet, warm and dry, |
| called Mary Mary-check it out ("Praise You") if | | | | smacking down at those who are still in the |
| you've never heard it before. | | | | water! When the folks still in the water see us |
| When you hear it, I'm sure you'll understand why | | | | there, they should see us dancing and hear the |
| it's one of my favorites for joyful dancing. It's | | | | laughter, and long to come on board themselves! |
| great for those times when you have so much | | | | Not get near and then get smacked! |
| inside, you just have to let it out. | | | | Once you're on the boat, once you stop shuffling |
| Sometimes we see our Christian life as tying us | | | | around dragging your chains long enough to let |
| down-I fall into that all the time. "No more of this, | | | | Him, He'll take the shackles off your feet-and off |
| get busy with that --and for SURE no more of | | | | your heart too-so you can dance. |
| the other!" | | | | Christian meditation is a time for you to stop, a |
| But when God works in our lives, He actually sets | | | | time to sit down and hold out your chains. So He |
| us free to be the person we were always | | | | can set you free to dance your journey. He will |
| created to be. Free to dance our best dance, sing | | | | set you free to enjoy the trip-- free to be useful |
| our best song, laugh our deepest laughs. Free to | | | | to others on board, and the ones still in the |
| open our hearts to be loved...and free to love | | | | water, too. |
| beyond ourselves. | | | | It's a link by link process, being set free, but we |
| It's a two part process. Say you're treading | | | | dance better every time another one breaks |
| water, making it on your own, doing fine when it's | | | | loose. |
| calm and pretty...but you're getting tired 'cause | | | | And as you get free, He'll show you how to sail |
| you're dragging burdens with you, more and | | | | into the wind. To experience the beauty of the |
| heavier as you go along. | | | | world you're in, and trust in the adventure of the |
| You know you're in trouble when it gets stormy, | | | | One you're journeying to. |
| but you've made it this far...still, there's no | | | | If you're still in the water-take His hand and come |
| freedom to dance when you're dragging | | | | on board. |
| chains--and you know you're headed for drowning. | | | | But if you're already on board, stop dragging |
| "Saved" is where you let Him pull you into the | | | | those chains around. Be still for a bit, and let Him |
| boat. | | | | take the shackles off your feet so you can |
| But once we're on board, we don't have to sit | | | | dance! And then join me for the party up on the |
| there, safe but dripping, crouched down in our | | | | prow. |