SONG LYRICS
Now, the mist across the window hides the lines
But nothing hides the color of the lights that shine
Electricity so fine
Look and dry your eyes
We are tired of all the darkness in our lives
With no more angry words to say can come alive
Get into a car and drive to the other side
Into the night, into the light
We are young but getting old before our time
We’ll leave the TV and the radio behind
Don’t you wonder what we’ll find
Steppin’ out tonight?
You can dress in pink and blue just like a child
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
We’ll be there in just a while, if you follow
Me babe, steppin’ out
Into the night, into the light
You babe, steppin’ out
Into the night, into the light
MESSAGE
So this pastor is walking by this pet shop and saw a sign that said, “Horse for Sale.” Well, the pastor had a large ranch and he was interested, so he went inside. And the owner took him out back and showed him this beautiful Arabian stallion. And he agreed to let the pastor have a little test run. And so the pastor grabbed him and said, “Giddy-up!” And the horse didn’t move. He said, “Giddy-up” again, and the horse didn’t move.
And the owner said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you; it’s a Christian horse. So instead of ‘Giddy-up,’ you say, ‘Praise the Lord.'”
So he said, “Praise the Lord,” and the horse started walking around leisurely. And when he wanted him to stop, he said, “Whoa.” But he didn’t stop at all.
The owner said, “Oh, I forgot; it’s ‘Amen’ to make it stop.”
The pastor said he can handle that, and so he buys it, takes it, saddles it up at his place and goes out for a ride. And he says, “Praise the Lord; praise the Lord; praise the Lord!” And he’s going at quite a speed. And the horse starts heading toward the edge of a cliff. And he panics, because he couldn’t quite remember what the word was. So he’s saying, “Whoa; whoa!” And he’s trying every word he can. He’s saying, “Hallelujah!” “Jehovah!” “Jesus!” Nothing! And finally, when he’s just literally a foot or two away from the edge, he remembers and says, “Amen!”
And he was so relieved and so happy that his life was saved, he put his arms up in the air and said, “Praise the Lord!” [Drummer does “rim shot” drum roll; congregation laughs] So …
So how many people ever had a time in your life where things were just not going your way? You know, maybe struggles in your relationship; your finances; maybe some car problems. Maybe leaks in your house. Whatever it is that just wasn’t clicking. Maybe a family issue that was really weighing heavy on your mind. How many people have ever been stuck in a rut and were kind of “out of sorts” for a while, and you didn’t know how to get out of it? Okay; three people. That’s perfect! [Congregation laughs]
And last one, last one. And that is: How many people have ever been struggling for such a long time that, even more a moment, you thought, “I wonder if this is as good as life gets. Maybe it doesn’t get any better than this.” Anybody for that? Okay; let’s go beyond three. [Congregation laughs] Okay; great! Great!
You know, at some point every one of us feels down, stuck and discouraged. I think every one of us gets to that place where we wonder if our lives are ever going to get better. And I’ll tell you, the worst thought we can think at that moment — the worst absolute one — is to believe we don’t have the power in us to change our lives. That we don’t have the power to improve or to make our lives or ourselves better. Because it is not true; it is 100% not true!
Jesus said, “In this life, there will be trials and tribulations, but be of good cheer; for I have overcome the world.” He saying no matter what you’re going through, be of good cheer, because you have the power in you to overcome. You have the resources. You have the spiritual gifts and abilities to overcome; to rise above; to move beyond the challenges and frustrations that we can experience to a level of joyfulness. A level of meaning and success in our lives.
Because the truth is: we are children of God, created in the image and likeness of the Creator, which means we are creators. That whatever is going on in our lives, we can rebuild; we can choose again; we can make new decisions. The fact is: we are powerful spiritual beings. Our nature is divine; we have spiritual gifts and abilities and incredible spiritual power. We have so much to be of good cheer about.
The Bible tells us all kinds of attributes and abilities and powers that we have. We have the power to ask. The power to seek. The power to knock. The power to choose. The power to decide. The power to pray. The power to meditate. The power to love. The power of faith. The power to forgive. The power of vision. The power to speak the word. The power of thought. The power of action. The power of intention. The power of imagination. The power of motivation and discipline and persistence and creativity, enthusiasm … to name a few. [Congregation laughs]
I mean, we have so many resources! And yet, we think so little of ourselves: that we don’t have the ability to change or transform or improve our lives and our situations. We have a lot to be of good cheer about. No matter what’s going on in our lives. Because the fact is: we’re powerful spiritual beings.
“I am a powerful spiritual being.”
Let’s say that together: [with congregation] “I am a powerful spiritual being.”
Turn to the person next to you and say, “You are a powerful spiritual being.”
[Congregation]: “You are a powerful spiritual being.”
So we are in Week #4 of our five-week series, the fall version of “The Songs of Life.” That’s where I pick famous songs and share a spiritual message from it. Because music does something beyond the spoken word. It touches; it uplifts; it opens our hearts. And so I try to find some songs and glean — whether it was intended or not — a spiritual message from that song.
We looked at “You Say” by Lauren Daigle, which was about believing in yourself. We looked about Ringo Starr’s “It Don’t Come Easy,” which is about that life isn’t easy, but it can get better when we stop looking at the past; make peace; and open our hearts. Last week we looked at Maroon 5’s “Memories,” which is about dealing with loss, and the importance of going through the process of grief. Looking back and giving thanks for the individuals, situations that we’ve lost, and also utilizing it to help us live better today.
And this morning we’re going to look at Joe Jackson’s “Steppin’ Out” from 1982 from his album entitled, Night and Day. And I’ll tell you: that song, the first time I heard it, I just thought it was so uplifting and positive and hopeful and joyful. I just love that!
How many people know this song? Everybody knows the song, right? I mean, it’s a fabulous song! And even though it’s the context … So he and his wife in the song are fighting, and then he says, “Let’s go out on the town.”
And I just really love it, because it moves from focusing … Saying let’s not fight or just not speak but, instead, let’s move to the anticipation on going out on a night in New York. It’s about moving from the negative to the positive and moving from the darkness into the light.
The lyrics show some of the sturggles, but it also shows the counter positives that are available to us when we are stuck in those types of situations. “Steppin’ out” is about making sure we choose our steps in the right way to move forward and out of difficult situations. We all get to choose our steps; there are a lot of steps that we can take!
We always want to take a step in the right direction. We want to step on the gas so we can stay one step ahead. Do you know you can step in and step out and step up and step down and step off and step aside? But it’s important to not take two steps forward and three steps back. So we need to watch our step! Maybe step back so we don’t step on anybody’s toes or we don’t step out of line. Because somebody might end up saying, “You want to step outside?” [Congregation laughs] So if you want to succeed, just step right up and take baby steps, because the journey of life — the thousand mile journey — begins with a single step.
So this morning we’re going to look at the song, “Steppin’ Out” and see what spiritual messages are there for us to help us live our lives better. And we’re going to use three steps: and that is to step away; to step within; and to step up.
Okay, so let me give you the second verse:
We are tired of all the darkness in our lives
With no more angry words to say can come alive
Get into a car and drive to the other side
I think the message there is that, when you’re struggling and having a difficult time in whatever area of your life, that it’s important to not just stay stuck in the negative. It’s important to STEP AWAY and go to the other side; to move to a more positive mindset.
One of the best examples of not staying stuck in the negative and moving to the positive is Jesus’ story of the loaves and fishes. I love that parable!
So there they are: 5,000 hungry people, five loaves and two fish. He could have freaked out and gotten stressed and upset. But instead, the first he told people was to sit down on the green grass. To calm down; it was like stepping away or stepping back. Not getting enveloped in the negativity.
And then the second one: when he took the bread, the first thing he did — he looked up. He looked away from the lack and the fear, and he looked up to a mindset of faith and abundance.
That when we’re in tough situations like that, it’s important to step away and look away from the problems and not get consumed by them. Not keep focusing on them.
Have you ever had a situation where you had an argument with someone and it just wasn’t getting anywhere? Or when you’re working so hard, but the solutions weren’t coming? It’s at those times that sometimes we just need to step away. We just need to step back for a little bit, just to allow our minds to be cleared — to be renewed and refreshed.
But sometimes just keeping going at it all the time is really not a good thing, particularly when we’re focusing on the negativity — on what isn’t working — and expressing just frustration after frustration.
Anybody ever see those Southwest Airlines ads, “Wanna get away?” Ever saw those? There’s a wonderful one I love about this lady; she’s on a date with a guy. She’s in his restroom and she’s kind of peeking around. And she’s saying to him, “Oh, I really love how you decorated in here!” And she opens up the medicine cabinet; she’s going through it and picks up something and puts it back. And it all crashes down. And it gives the message: “Wanna get away?” [Congregation laughs]
And I love that! But it’s not that kind of “get away” I’m talking about! You know, you’ve all been mortified because we did something so embarrassing; we wish the earth would swallow us up. But I’m talking about stepping away when we are overstressed. When we are taxed emotionally. When we’re overthinking. That in those points, the best thing we can do is to step away; is to take a break; is to change our focus and not just be stuck in that one mindset and that one perspective.
Do you know there’s countless studies that show taking breaks is a vital part of staying healthy and effective in our brains; in our bodies; and with our emotions. It doesn’t sound like a big deal — stepping away; taking a break; changing your focus — but it’s a huge help in that it affects our well-being and our relationships.
Let me give you an example. In the pre-frontal cortex (in the brain): part of its job is to concentrate on the task at hand and also research and combine information that’s stored to come up with ideas and solutions. But if we keep going at the same problem, keep having the same argument, it depletes its ability to search. So when you take a break, it actually helps it have more energy and resources to come up with the ideas.
Like, you ever been thinking about something? Thinking about a solution? You took a break and the next day when you were doing something else, the idea came to you? It’s because you gave the pre-frontal cortex the time to do that and not keep overtaxing it.
All breaks are valuable and important and a healthy practice if we want to live a more balanced, healthy and effective life.
And so whether it’s as simple as taking a walk or taking a nap or going for a drive or playing violin or planning a vacation, switching channels and stepping away is a healthy and valuable and important thing. And it’s particularly important when you’re in a contentious situation or an environment that might be toxic or unhealthy — or something is escalating emotionally — to step away. It helps us not be as impulsive or reactive, and it helps us to have greater clarity and perspective. And we actually come back at it in a greater and more effective way.
Taking breaks — stepping away — is a powerful life practice and spiritual practice. And sometimes we like working so hard we think taking a break is lazy. We think it’s maybe unproductive or we’re shirking our responsibility. But it isn’t! It’s actually one of our major responsibilities to take care of ourselves and our well-being. Our mental and our emotional well-being is served by taking breaks and stepping away, particularly when things are not going well.
So what we need to do is notice the times you’re feeling really tired. Notice the times you’re feeling really stressed or upset. Or particularly those moments. Step away! Take a break! Because it will renew and refresh us to handle things in a greater way.
So that’s steppin’ out lesson one: is to step away.
Second one is to STEP IN, or STEP WITHIN. The lines say:
Steppin’ out
Into the night, into the light
And we know that light is the light of God! It’s the Christ light; it’s the light of the world; it’s the light that is in each and every one of us. It’s that spiritual nature and divine nature.
Jane Dunlap — in her book Exploring Inner Space — says, “Deep within us lies goodness unimagined, wisdom, music, talents of every variety, joy, peace, humility, love and spirituality. Hidden away in each individual is a vast gold mine but, as yet, only a few puny thread-like veins have been discovered.”
And Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.”
How many people would say you believe that within us there is unlimited goodness and wisdom and peace and joy? How many people would say you knew that? How many people would say that we still don’t tap into it through prayer and seeking God as much as we can? How many people know there’s still room for us to seek within? And we always say we believe it and, yet, we do not turn to it and utilize it as much as we know we can, and as much as we need it and as much as it can help us.
Even Einstein said, “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the sacred gift.” So he’s saying that the intuitive mind is that God mind: there is an inner knowing and wisdom within all of us. But we don’t tap into it, because we’re trusting a rational mind. We want to think our way out, instead of feel it and connect with God spiritually. That we are afraid or unwilling to go within ourselves to discover the depths and dimensions that are within us.
The Bible tells us things like, “Be still and know that I am God.” “Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness.” And, “Go to the secret place of the Most High.” Each of those three nobody can do but you! No one can do it for us; we have to go to that quiet place. We have to be willing to step in and go within to discover the depths of peace and wisdom and clarity.
And I’ll tell you: it doesn’t matter what you’re going through. If it’s financial; if it’s relationship; if it’s career … whatever it might be, the greatest resource we have is to go within. Life is lived from the inside out, and it is from that spiritual place within us if we’re willing to go there and to seek it out and make that connection. Because it is only those times that we are expanded and awakened and transformed. It’s in those times we open a path for God’s guidance and wisdom and clarity to move in and through us.
It’s there; we all believe it! But the question is: Are we willing to take the time and dedicate ourselves to step within?
And the last one is to STEP UP. So I want you to think about your life right now, and I want you to think: What area in your life are you on your “A-Game”? Think of that. And I want you to think now about: What area in your life do you know you need to step up your game? And whether it is in your relationship or your self-care, whether it’s your attitude or your spiritual practice, I believe that life is calling every one of us to step up. To bring forth a better version of ourselves and to live a greater version and a fuller version of our lives.
There’s a book entitled, What Matters Most: Living a More Considered Life. And the author, James Hollis, says the best way to step up in life is to invest yourself in something that means something to you. Because there’s a richness that life and the universe will give back to you when you’re true to yourself and fully invest yourself.
Neitsche once said this: “Those who were seen to be dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” Let me read it again; I love it! “Those who were seen to be dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
And life is saying: find your music! It doesn’t matter if other people can’t hear it; what is the music that is in you that you are meant to express? It is to honor your path! Just embrace and accept the challenges that are part of the process of expressing and feeling it.
Someone said, “Like shining stars, every one of us has the potential to light up the darkness with our own particularly brilliance.”
Again, how is life calling you to step up? How do you want to step up? And what is the things or are the things you’re meant to do that you haven’t allowed yourself to fulfill and invest yourself fully in it?
And maybe it’s in a social area; maybe it’s your health and fitness; maybe it’s your spiritual life. I don’t know, but I know that life is calling every one of us to step up. There is so much potential and possibility and greatness in us! The question is: Are we willing to express it?
So the last couple of years, I’ve had a little tough time physically. I had a fall and a this and a that, and I haven’t been able to … And I haven’t been progressing as well. So I saw this video of this guy on Facebook, and he was so inspiring I drove to Chandler last week to see him, because I thought I could use someone to inspire me.
And so he challenged me — or invited me, I’m not sure which one [congregation laughs] — to do something on February 11 where I have to walk a mile non-stop. And so I immediately felt a tension in my chest when he asked me that question. But you ever get it? And it went into my gut, and it was like: I know this is scary, and I’m miles from that right now, but I said, “Yes!” And so I started working out with physical trainer and I’m excited to see it. And the truth is: I wasn’t going to tell you! I didn’t even say it at the first service. But I thought, “Let me put it out there.” Because if I’m going to step up …
In whatever way you’re called to step up, put it out there! You know, I was only going to tell you after I did it! So [laughs] ….[Congregation applauds] But it’s like …
And so every one of us have these in our own way. And we don’t measure it against anyone; it’s against ourselves. It’s: What is your life calling you to do? It’s not to compare it to anyone; it is to bring out your best self. To step up to the life you’re meant to live. And to make the contribution and difference you’re meant to make.
One of the heroes that I have that I only know through paper is Madame Curie. She was born in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland. And she married a French guy, Pierre. And they were both physicists and chemists. And her claim to fame was she discovered radium and polonium for radiation that treats cancer today. And she won the Nobel Prize is 1903 and 1911. She was the first woman ever and the first person ever to win twice. Her husband and her won it, and they were the first married couple to win. And also she was the first woman in 1906 to be a professor at the University of Paris.
What I’m impressed with her: at a time when women and science and women, in general … I mean, she was at the top of her game. Talk about stepping up!
But my favorite thing about here is this quote about everybody. So even though she did all those great things, here’s what she says about everyone. She says, “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We mut have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.”
She’s almost saying you have a responsibility to bring forth your best. Everyone has it in us! And whatever that thing is: go within and find it, and then bring it forth. Be willing to step up how we show up in life to bring it forth.
I love the line when it says in the song:
Don’t you wonder what you’ll find?
Steppin’ out tonight?
And don’t you wonder what you’re capable of if you give it everything you’ve got? Don’t you wonder how great could you be; how good life could be; what a difference you could make if you were willing to take what is already there within you and express it and bring it forth?
You know, the fact is: we all have times when we’re down; we wonder if life’s going to get better or not; or if this is as good as it gets. But the truth is: there is so much in us. But in those times when we’re down, three ways to rise above is:
1) Step Away. When you’re tired or frustrated, just step away. Take breaks as a regular practice to help renew yourself.
2) And then Step Within. Tap into those inner dimensions of spiritual greatness and wisdom and genius that is available to us.
3) And then, finally, Step Up. Put yourself out there. Go after the things that you want or desire in your life.
We have the power and we can be of good cheer, because we have the ability to rise above our struggles. And that is the message and lesson from the song, “Steppin’ Out.”
God bless you all! [Congregation applauds]