Back in the early 80’s, a guy named Teddy Pendergrass recorded a song that simply made your soul dance. He called it “The Gift of Life” and he sang his heart out to God in gratitude for the privilege of life, for the opportunity to simply be born, and be able to love and to give. Pendergrass thanked God for everything, from snow and ice to wind and rain, because he realized what a miracle it is to be able to live. He cherished the moments and the days that define life.

What about us? What would make our hearts soar and our souls dance just to think about it? What might we say is irreplaceable, something we simply couldn’t live without? No doubt we have a long list of loved ones and favorite things we might note, but how often do we pause and give God thanks that we get to exist in this life at all? How often do we stop to realize that we are not here by coincidence or happenstance, but we are here by design?  We are here because we have a purpose and every time we embrace that purpose, the soul within us dances. 

Do you remember a game you may have played as a kid that was some version of “hot and cold?” If you go close to a hidden object that everybody was trying to find, you were told you were getting hotter. If you walked in the wrong direction, you were given a signal to turn around. Something like that is happening all the time within your spirit because God put a measure of Himself inside your soul when you were born. When you move closer to Him and the work He called you to do in the world, you get a flush of joy, a rush of delight, because your soul is dancing. Your soul says, “Yes, you’re getting hotter.” 

If you’ve never felt that confirmation from the Holy Spirit about the work you do, you might ask why. You might wonder if you have walked the wrong way so that your spirit is simply growing colder. IF so, it’s time to turn around, turn back to the One who designed you and has a perfect plan for your life. You’ll know when you are getting warmer because things will fall into place like never before. God’s spirit will go before you and open doors and create paths you didn’t even know were there. You’ll be on the right path and your soul will be dancing.

Whatever you’re doing today, check in with your soul. If you’re not sure what’s happening, it might be time to turn up the music. God has always wanted you to dance.

Blessings to you as you unwrap the many gifts this life has to offer.