The wind blows through the trees, and rain falls to the ground. The bird flies across the sky, and the mother gives birth to her child. The baby takes it’s first steps and eventually learns to walk. Life is marked by movement. We experience mind shifts, heart changes, and spiritual growth. Even our mere thoughts are in fact movement. Whether we are moving from one physical location to another or changing internally, we are always moving on some level because that’s exactly how we are designed. What significant movements have impacted your life?

I went to see an art exhibit this passed weekend. The exhibit was called “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration” This exhibition allowed it’s viewers to explore the Great Migration from the South through painting, sculpture, film, and sound. As I made my way through the exhibit, I was inspired.

How often do we choose to stand still, taking the path of least resistance? It’s often easier, safer, and more comfortable to stay in one place, but the truth is, that’s not how we are designed. We are designed to move, to grow, and yes, even to fail at times, leading us to rely on God.

It’s impossible to stay inside the will of God and cease to move forward. We as Christians are called to be a light, and as you know, light moves—in fact, it moves faster than anything else. We are all called to challenge ourselves, continue learning, continue growing, and pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones.

Fear can paralyze us. Often times, we are so ashamed of our own fear we lie to ourselves and fool ourselves into believing we aren’t afraid. We fool ourselves into believing we are content where we are, so we don’t have to move or live in the shame of admitting we are too afraid to. When one chooses not to move out of fear (even repressed fear), they become a prisoner. What makes a prisoner a prisoner? Lacking the ability to move freely.

We are designed for learning and problem solving not stagnation and complaining. If you don’t like your situation, don’t complain, but instead, move. Become a solutionist! Choose to move physically, or choose to adopt a new mindset towards your situation. If you’re depressed, anxious, fearful, or bitter— pray your way out of it. Let God move through you!

Living is about movement; it’s in movement, we can embrace our freedom, reminding ourselves that we are alive.