There’s a time for everything under the sun. What are you being called to do?
Yesterday, I subbed in a PE class. It was a PE/Music class combo. The third and fourth classes were to take the period and choreograph a dance sequence to be performed for the other students in their grade. They could pick their own groups. Their steps could be as simple or as intricate as they chose. The only stipulation was that they had to last the entire song.
The song played in a loop, the entire class period. Yesterday, was day two of this little creative project, and they would perform on Friday. The students were told that dances usually work in two counts of eight and the other three teachers and I, even made up our own to demonstrate. Then, we let them run with it.
I have to say that it was fascinating to watch them create. For a total of four classes, I observed them in action and I found some similarities among every group of children.
There were of course, some natural dancers, who took over some of the groups. There was some arguing about not being allowed to join and complaining about ideas not being listened to.
Does this sound like this could have been a bunch of adults? It always amazes me how similar children’s issues are to those of adults.
Surprisingly, there were groups of boys, who gleefully accepted the challenge and added lots of sliding and jumping into their routines. There were groups who borrowed moves from the Whip and the Cupid Shuffle. I even saw the Macarena.
Some of the groups wanted the adults to watch them. They couldn’t wait to perform. Some planned on dressing alike the next day. Some were planning on bringing props from home. Most of them had fun with it, even if it was reluctantly.
But, then there were those who flat out refused to participate. Some kids gave excuses that they simply could not perform without props. There were a few who refused to be part of any group, although there were groups who welcomed them with open arms.
Then there were those who would not dance. It didn’t matter how simple the moves were, they refused to participate. They actually chose to write a paper rather than to participate with their friends in a dance. There were even some tears.
What were they so afraid of? As the day moved on and we went on to different tasks for the fifth grade classes, I found myself mulling it over in my mind.
There are adults who act just like those few kids. Why are some people so terrified to put themselves out there? Why are people afraid to try something new or different? I certainly don’t have the answers, but perhaps it comes from fear of some kind, fear of making a mistake, fear of being laughed at or simple fear of looking stupid.
The Bible tells us that we are not to live in fear. “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 and “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4 are just a few verses that deal with fear. When God is with us, we are not to walk in fear.
The Bible also tells us that there’s a “time to dance.”
So the question for us is, if we are being called to dance, or speak publicly, or share our testimony or our resources, or to do anything outside our comfort zone, is fear causing us to hesitate?
If God is with us, then who can be against us? What’s holding you back?
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂