What I have come to realize is that movement is part of worship. Dancing, jumping, kneeling, hands in the air, etc- all forms of worship. I personally was made to move. No doubt about it- even when my eyes are closed my body is in motion (anyone that has stood next to me during corporate prayer knows this!).
I am grateful for my ability to move.
I am SO thankful for being able to use every part of my body every single day. There are those less fortunate - those with permanent injuries, birth defects, progressive diseases, etc., that make them unable to move in the ways I take for granted daily.
So I have been at an ALS conference and from the very first person that stood up to speak- a doctor from the UK- I KNEW God was reminding me of not only all I have, but also what I have been taking for granted lately and not using.
By lunchtime at the conference I was mentally and emotionally overwhelmed by all God was saying to me - speaking directly to me about my worship. I was created for movement but have not been utilizing that precious gift. He reminded me I was called to more than watching TV or playing on my phone, or even just riding the lawn mower - I am called to move.
At lunch we had another speaker - to say I didn't want to listen to a speaker during my lunchbreak is an understatement. But, God knew He had my attention and he used the next person to drive His point home with me.
The speakers name was Kevin Turner. Personally I had never heard of Kevin Turner despite where I am from and the fact that my husband loves all forms of football. Turns out he is a former Tide player that went on to play eight seasons in the NFL. Because of his position he had multiple concussions.
Now keep in mind I was at an ALS conference - I had no idea concussions could be a factor in ALS.
ALS is fast moving. It is progressive in nature and to this date no cure has been found. No truly viable way to slow its progression has been identified either. It is very difficult to diagnose because it looks like other illnesses and disorders.
Kevin was diagnosed in 2009. The video they did was 2011 and now we are in 2013.
It has progressed so much. He can't hold his head up without support, he has very little use of his left arm, he has assistance to walk distances. His speech is likened to a drunk person trying to act sober and although his breathing was not addressed I imagine he has a bi-pap machine for when he sleeps.
Now his body may look and sound disabled, but his spirit is not!
I listened in awe as he joked with us, was honest with us, and allowed himself to be an audible and visible example of what living with this devastating and progressive disease does to a person and their family.
He is full of joy and hope. He trusts God for his healing that is coming he said, and he believes he was placed here to bring attention to ALS.
Take a moment when you can and watch his documentary called. 'American Man'.
Also watch the video 'Journey On/Kevin Turner and ALS'.
Just as it is Kevin's calling to share this disease with others, I believe God was reiterating to me that my body has been gifted with movement and I have a true love for it. So how am I using this? Am I squandering it or sharing it?
God will hold us each accountable for gifts and opportunities given to us - NOT to better ourselves - but instead to better the lives of those God brings to us. Our families, our communities, etc.
Were we like the ones in Matthew 25 starting in verse 14- 'The Parable of the Talents(or bags of gold in some translations)'.
Are we taking what we have been entrusted with and doing even more? Or, are we hiding it? Out of fear, laziness, lack of vision, etc?
I want to be one that hears, 'Well done faithful servant!' I want Jesus to look and see how His gift in me has been multiplied to those around me.
I want to share movement as a form of worship.
