Lift Yourself Off the Floor...Salvation is HERE!




Happy NEW Year...

A time for reflection
A time for new beginnings
A time for setting goals
A time for looking forward

In a time when so many are making New Year's resolutions, I thought I would resuscitate an old music hit that may be of some encouragement.  Switchfoot released "Dare You to Move" in 2002 and the song gained widespread popularity in 2005. Even still, the driving beat and encouraging "get up and go" mentality provides a great inspiration to all those looking over their shoulder at 2012 and running toward something in 2013.

This song starts with a  nice greeting "welcome to the planet" with an invitation in the chorus to be bold and "to lift yourself off the floor", urging us on with new initiative and a new energy in our new goals despite whatever put us on the floor in the first place.

However, by the second verse, the song quickly mentions the hurdles and "the fallout, and resistance" that get in the way of what we are running toward.  However, the repetition of the chorus following this verse continues to urge us on, despite roadblocks that may be new or even feel familiar to those felt in 2012.

I like that this story is demonstrated throughout the video with a runner that has a laser focus and starts out un-impeded with one foot placed in front of the other with great determination.  And then the crowd shows up and he is knocked off-balance, but still remains determined to place another foot in the direction of the goal.

However, while my goals and resolutions focus on an endpoint or achievement, my prayer is that I learn much through the journey.  And while my pursuit will knock me off my feet from time to time, I so look forward to seeing the redemption, forgiveness, and ultimately SALVATION through the story that is sung by Switchfoot through the bridge. 

Be inspired that the achievement of goals are sweeter when met with resistance, overcome, and finally redeemed.

The story is greater when the word "victory" includes redemption, forgiveness, and salvation.

Goals are made up of a series of dots.  The pursuit is represented by a series of lines.  Only together do they form a great work, a piece of art.


So the great reminder for 2013:

Pick yourself up off the floor...
and I Dare You to MOVE!