Last month, I wore my ruby red glittering sneakers and ventured to see “The Wiz” on Broadway. I believe God speaks to us in many ways, and this musical was no exception. Join me as I share inspiration by the songs from “The Wiz.”
Song: Ease on Down the Road
“Don’t you carry nothing that might be a load,
Come on, ease on down, ease on down, down the road.”
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.” Psalm 55:2
“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” Lena Horne
Our life journey is a continual experience. I’ve learned that my journey means regular luggage checks, and knowing what I have to release and what I need to keep. It’s knowing when something is too heavy to move, yet too empty to unpack. This song reminded me that I need to do regular luggage check-ins with the Lord. What am I holding on to that is blocking and slowing down my journey? Checking in with the Lord helps us to release the burdens that weigh us down and to travel lighter on the path God has set before us so we can continue to ease on down the road.
Song: Believe in Yourself
“Believe in yourself when there’s nobody else, you know how to survive
Take your hand, take your heart, don’t lose your faith and when you feel alone in the dark
Believe in yourself.”
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14
“You are your best thing.” Toni Morrison
Glinda, the Good Witch, sings this to Dorothy. I love it because she reminds Dorothy of the strength and faith that is already inside of her. It also reminds me that I must be the first to believe in myself, if I expect others to do the same. It reminds me of the importance of encouraging ourselves. Believing in ourselves is an act of honoring the unique gifts and strengths God has placed within us.
Song: Don’t Bring Me No Bad News
“But don’t you bring me no bad news”
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
“Someday we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes and finally in you.” Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou reminds us that words are powerful and that the common phrase “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt you” is NOT true. Our words have power and impact on ourselves and those around us. This doesn’t mean ignoring the truth or pretending everything is perfect, but rather using our words to build up ourselves and others, even when times are tough. God knows that speaking life helps us focus on solutions, maintain a positive outlook and support those around us.
What kind of news am I bringing into the world?
Song: Home
“When I think of home I think of a place where there’s love overflowing.”
“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” Isaiah 32:18 (NIV)
“Returning home to ourselves is an art. It’s a process that requires us to recall the parts of ourselves that we buried, rediscovering the value we hold outside of the things that caused us to stray.”
There’s power in being home — the place where you can be your authentic self. The place that safely protects you yet encourages you to continue to grow outside of your comfort zone. It speaks to the grace and compassion that awaits us when we seek to return to our true selves, much like Dorothy’s yearning to return home in the song. It aligns with the concept of creating or finding a home within yourself — a place where you can be at peace, feel secure and grow into your authentic self that God created you to be.
Song: Everybody Rejoice/New Day
“Freedom, you see has got our hearts singing so joyfully,
Just look about you owe it to yourself to check it out —
Can’t you feel a brand new day?”
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19
Each day is God’s reminder that there is a new beginning and an opportunity to start again. Freedom comes from gratitude and embracing new opportunities along the way. A friend told me that serendipity and miracles are a part of life, if we pay attention. Welcome each new day with gratitude, recognizing it as a chance to realign with your purpose and passion.
Even when things seem tough, like being lost in a desert, God can create a path for us to follow and provide what we need, like water in a dry place. It’s a reminder that God can do things we might not expect, and we should pay attention to the good changes that God is bringing. Can’t you feel a brand new day?
Clicking my sneakers,
Sheila P. Spencer
