I stepped outside my comfort zone, stepped into a Soul Dancing class, and discovered that wallflowers can dance.

Twice each week, I showed up in comfy shoes and a big smile, along with twenty-five to thirty other folks with varying levels of dancing ability. I’ve never thought I had natural rhythm, and I have had few opportunities to prove it. It was all I could manage to keep my right and left straight while counting continuously. I laughed a lot because it was soon confirmed: I am not a dancer. But I kept showing up, joining the crowd, and accumulating daily steps that raised my heart rate.

The event organizer took a lot of pictures, made a few videos, and tried a few of the moves with miniature steps on the sidelines. She clicked her fingers along with the music, but from a safe distance. It seemed she wanted to hop in, to join beyond the fray, but she held herself to spectator status.

Nothing breaks my heart more than seeing people spectate their way through life. They sit on the sidelines–often with a fervent desire to go all in, but always remaining near the action instead of in the action. They think about joining, they want to fully participate, but they stay on the sidelines and watch their lives play out.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

God did not design us to sit and watch. God created us for a purpose–created us to be active participants in this world.

Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

James 4:17 NLT

Near the end of our eight-week dance class, the event organizer finally took a spot in the back row and stepped out a few dances with us. As it turned out, she was a natural and had the biggest smile.

We only get one shot at living out our best life, and if we do it well, that should be enough. But that leaves us little time to sit out even one of life’s dances.

What is an area of your life where you tend to spectate more than participate?

Father, give me the courage and desire to step into living out the purpose for which You created me. Help me to glorify You more by actively living the life You’ve given me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Nonfiction

Copyright2023: Wallflowers Can Dance: Cynthia Mendenhall: All Rights Reserved