Corona Devotional 2009

Checking into our son's college dorm on freshmen move-in day, we saw the front desk with R.A.'s (resident assistants) sitting there, and we ambled over, a bit unsure, as this was our first time ever entering the building.

I didn't notice that there was a square taped-out on the carpet in front of me, and I walked over it as we approached the desk to pick up our son's room key.

But all of a sudden the five college students managing the desk erupted in smiles and cheers, pointing at me and shouting that I had stepped in the "dance square", and telling me that now I had to stay in the square and dance.

I had a choice to make.

I had a split second to make-it.  

Dance(!?) in front of strangers and in a place I've never been before?  Dance(!?) at the risk of embarrassing my son and husband and myself?  Dance(!?)...just because?

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  ~John 10:10

I danced.  

I debated it, and I really didn't want to, but I made the choice to have fun and to make fun and to live life to the full in that moment in the residence hall lobby.

The thief tells us that the world will laugh at us.  The thief whispers that we will look stupid.  The thief hisses that we will embarrass and ingratiate ourselves.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). 

But Jesus...He came so that we might have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).  Jesus came so that we could shake-off the world and its superficiality, and so that we can live in Christ without worrying what others think or say. 

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  ~John 10:10

Dance today. 


God didn't create us to wear straight jackets and memorize Scripture in isolation.  God created us in His image (So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  ~Genesis 1:27), and it's okay to celebrate life and to enjoy life.

King Solomon was wise.  The wisest.

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. (30) Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. (31) He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.  ~I Kings 4:29-31

King Solomon examined every angle of life, from education and riches, to toil and indulgences.  In the end, Solomon determined that there is not any one thing that brings meaning and joy to life, the secret is (my paraphrase) to work hard and to enjoy life along the way.  It's the balance of both.

Dance today.

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.  ~Ecclesiastes 8:15

~~~

Our God is holy.  There is no mistaking that, and we must honor Him with our lives and our hearts.  This means dedicating our time and talents to Him: these are our "burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes and special gifts" to the Lord.  

Give to God what He is due today, but not in tears and (only) toil.  God is blessed by our homage to Him...and the Bible says that we shall rejoice after honoring Him.

But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; (6) there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 
(7) There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.  ~Deuteronomy 12:5-7 

Dance today.  There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you (Deuteronomy 12:5-7).

Does "life to the full" sound positive?  I would sure say so.  Does "life to the full" 

~~~

There is a time for everything, and maybe today we are nowhere near the emotional/physical/spiritual ability of dancing in the "dance square" of life.  Perhaps we are tethered by trials or sickened by sorrow.  And that's okay.  

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens... (4) a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance...  ~Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4

However...if we find ourselves stepping into a "dance square" today...

We have a choice to make.  

I hope we dance.

~~~

I'm not sure who was more surprised when I started moving and grooving in that taped-square on the carpet--my family or me.

But it didn't surprise Jesus.  He came so that we might have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).

Jesus came for us so that we might dance.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  ~John 10:10

Blessings, 

Sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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