Once upon a time, I had this dream. I wanted to be a cheerleader. I’m not sure at the time I wanted to be a cheerleader for the right reasons. The right reason in my opinion was because I was so proud of my school that I wanted to represent. No, I wanted to be a cheerleader because I wanted to be liked, and I wanted to be popular, and I wanted the status that came with being a cheerleader.
I will n.e.v.e.r forget the first time I tried out. I was giddy with excitement to be sitting on the gym floor amongst all the other girls, nervous for when they would call my name and I would get up to cheer for the judges. I had prepared my cheer and I was ready. The first girl was called up and her cheer was amazing. Her movements were crisp, clean and very precise. The second girl was called up and she knew the exact same cheer as the first girl. And so it went until my turn. I didn’t know the cheer the others girl did. I was no longer excited but I was determined that since I was there, I would do my cheer. I took my place, and I began my cheer. Behind me, I heard hushed laughter and giggles as I performed for the judges. Needless to say, I did not make the squad.
I tried out again. This time I practiced with an actual cheerleader and I knew the cheer everyone was going to perform. I practiced with my friend and on my own for countless hours. But, I didn’t make the squad that year either. I gave up on cheerleading. I decided I wasn’t popular enough or talented enough and this was just not my thing. So I became a marcher. I was on a team that performed a dance routine at halftime during our football games and I really loved it. I even got to perform in the annual Christmas parade.
Years later a friend would bring me to a Jazzercise class. I loved it so much, I signed up after that first class. Three months later I decided I wanted to try out to be an instructor. There was a screening process you had to pass before you could be accepted. I didn’t make it the first time around and I kept at it and a few months later, I did the screening again and I passed. The screening process was easy compared to the next phase of learning 10 routines. Well, I passed that part too. My being a certified instructor gave me the opportunity to perform, tell people what to do, sing, and dance. I thought this was it…this is my calling and I will love and do this forever.
Do you know what adultery is? Do you know what idolatry is? Did you know when you put anything, and I mean anything before the Lord you are committing both of those acts. Color me shocked when I first learned about this. You were created to worship and love your creator above all else. How easy is it to turn our backs on the One who breathed life into us and become all about the worldly wants of this world? Too easy in my opinion…let me give you an example…if you’re doing something you know is wrong and you keep doing it…boom…you got yourself an idol. You choose to enjoy doing the wrong thing over being obedient to God. Ooops, now you’ve just cheated on Him too. How did you cheat you ask? You are to love the Lord with all you mind, heart and soul. If you know what He says is wrong, and you keep doing it, what are you loving? You’re cheating God out of His best for your life. The life He gave you.
God doesn’t like that. You’ve heard He’s a jealous God and eventually the things you put above Him, you may just notice the passion you once had for those things suddenly or over time goes away. Will you choose to put down what you’ve put above God or will you keep fanning the flame of sin?
Don’t get me wrong, I sin every day. Every day I have to evaluate my choices and ask who am I serving? I put Jazzercise away. It consumed too much of my thoughts and my time. I laid it at His feet, confessed and repented. It was hard. I have no idea if giving that up was for a season, or forever, but I’m good with whatever God decides. You see, God sent His one and only Son to die on a cross for me and for you. And Jesus knows the temptations of this world and yet, He was without sin. Wrap your head around that!!
Once upon a time, I had this dream. I wanted to be a cheerleader. And I am!! Best part about it is, I didn’t have to try out, I didn’t have to be judged, I only had to give my life back to the one who brought me to this dance. Every time someone comes to Christ and lays down their old life to begin their new life in Him…you can bet you will hear me cheer and shout to the Heavens…Wooo-hoooo!! Go God, Go God, it’s their birthday!! Gooooooo God!! Well, maybe not that exact cheer, but you get my point.
Blessed to be Broken 
Trish you always bless my socks off w/your blogs!
Thanks Sharon!! All the glory to God 🙂