I was listening to one of my Pandora stations the other day, heard this song and thought
{Hello, new favorite song!}
Maybe it has something to do with its dance-inducing tune. (Brylee and I love dancing around to music!)
Or, perhaps when we danced to it Friday it had something to do with my literal new shoes. (You know, the boots I decided to keep.)
I was also feeling a little down (note melancholy start to my birthday post) on Friday. After dancing to this song with Brylee and Ian, I said a little prayer of thanksgiving for the dose of optimism.
You have turned my mourning into dancing. {Psalm 30:11}
I really do love this song because of what it does for me spiritually, beyond just turning a bad mood into a dance-worthy one.
So what does new shoes have to do with a spiritual life? Paolo Nutini would probably say "nothing." But the happiness that exudes from this song reminds me of the joy of a new life in Christ. Allow me to explain.
Better yet, allow Paul to explain.
Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. {Romans 6:4}
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. {2 Corinthians 5:17}I know the term "following Christ" might bring connotations of obligation and duty and walking a fine line along the straight and narrow. I guess this is a reminder of the joy and refreshment and the sweet sunshine of living our new lives in Christ.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit with love, joy, and peace {Galatians 5:25, 22}
I also think of the man Peter and John healed. Down on life and in need of money, he probably didn't have much hope for his life changing that day. But it did. Peter and John denied him money, because, well, they didn't have any either. But they gave him something better--the Word of Christ to stand and walk. And what did he do? Well, he became an inspiration to me and how I should live my life. He didn't just stand and walk,
He (leaped) up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. {Acts 3:8}
And the best part?
All the people saw him walking and praising God. {vs. 9}
What an amazing way to witness! With a pep in our steps. Broadcasting the "new shoes" and everything else God has replaced in our new lives.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. {Colossians 2:6-7}
