This past summer, amidst the joy of my son Mark’s wedding to a wonderful young woman, a song took on a deeper meaning for me: Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance.” As a mother, watching my son embark on this new chapter, the lyrics resonated with the very hopes and dreams I hold for him and all my children.
When Mark asked about our mother-son dance song, “I Hope You Dance” was my immediate choice. For Mark, who shares my adventurous yet thoughtful spirit, the song’s message is a personal prayer. Dancing together, I whispered my love and my deepest wish: that he would embrace life fully, living in the freedom God intends for us. The song’s powerful words echoed in my heart: “I hope you never lose your sense of wonder… never fear those mountains in the distance… when you get the chance to sit it out or dance… dance.”
This desire for my son mirrors a universal parental longing. We all want our children to experience a life filled with joy, courage, and faith. If we, as imperfect parents, hold such hopes, how much greater is the desire of our perfect Heavenly Father for us, His children?
Reflect on Ephesians 1:3-14. This passage overflows with words describing God’s view of you. Words like “loved,” “forgiven,” “chosen,” “redeemed,” “blessed,” and “holy” paint a picture of His immeasurable grace and the profound truth that He has chosen you. Do you truly recognize this deep love and live in its light?
The Message translation of verses 11 and 12 puts it beautifully: “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”
The phrase “in Christ” appears repeatedly in these verses, emphasizing a powerful truth: we are designed to live freely in Christ, as God’s chosen people. This echoes the spirit of “I Hope You Dance” – an invitation to embrace life’s dance with courage and faith. Lee Ann Womack’s timeless song isn’t just a beautiful melody; it’s an anthem for living life to the fullest, a sentiment that aligns perfectly with God’s desires for us as revealed in Ephesians.
This week, choose one of the powerful words from Ephesians 1:3-14 – perhaps “chosen” or “blessed.” Ask God to deepen your understanding of its truth and to empower you to live it out. He hopes you dance – in faith, in joy, and in freedom.
Lynette Fuson
Director of Women’s Ministries
