The idea for this blog post came from a conversation with someone that’s purchased several Be Still and Let it Go meditation CDs. We were sharing how much we both loved our church homes. She attends a small church and loves her pastor.

One of his sermons was called – You Put Your Whole Self In but Don’t Take Your Whole Self Out. The title made me laugh as I imagined what was coming.

It was based off the childhood song Do the Hokey-Pokey. If you’re familiar or not familiar with the lyrics it starts with:

You put your right foot in,
You put your right foot out;
You put your right foot in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about.

The song continues with putting your left foot in, then your arms, then your hands, then your sides, then your nose, then your backside, then your head, then putting your whole self in.

What a stroke of brilliance for a sermon!

To lead a life with joy and flow and that is truly guided by God, we have to put our whole selves in. I can just imagine the congregation literally standing and jumping and turning around.

We Have to Turn Ourselves Around

But that’s what we have to do, isn’t it? We have to turn ourselves around. (It’s actually what repent means.) That means turning away from doubts and fears and unworthiness and trusting that God is our Source.

That’s why we can’t follow the song and take ourselves out. Unfortunately, we do that by not spending quiet time in prayer or meditation or feeling God’s presence. We figure that we have a better way because maybe things aren’t happening as quickly for us as we’d like. Or maybe we just plunge ahead into our day not acknowledging God’s presence. We’ve broken the connection to our Source. That’s how we take ourselves out.

We need to put ourselves in – all in – mind, body, heart and soul.

I’ve discovered when I’m all in – meaning surrendering to God’s magnificent power and love that is within me, I experience a true inner peace. I’m living in the present moment. I’m not worried about what I’m doing and what will happen. I don’t beat myself up over the past or worry about the future. I am all in.

Surrendering doesn’t mean giving up. It means giving up the struggle of trying so hard. God is the source of strength and direction.

So, whatever you’re doing right now, get up and jump forward and may that be a physical leap of faith that you are all in!

Want to be more attentive to God leading in your life? Want to let go of those burdens you might be carrying around? These guided meditations can help.

Need help letting go. You can download this Prayer for Letting Go and Meditative Affirmation called Letting Go.

Hokey-Pokey written by Roland Lawrence LaPrise (with Charles Macak and Tafit Baker). Recorded in 1949. U.S. Copyright 1950, Acuff-Rose Music Inc.