Shalom Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I’ve had several ideas of late for sending out little nuggets of revelation the Lord has been blessing me with--but the timing hasn’t been right until now. So, today, I’d like to share a few thoughts with you on the subject of dancing (with the Lord).
Many people come to us asking prayer for the guidance of the Lord. Some ask, “How do I hear from God myself? How can I be sure it’s Him?” Well, that age-old question has yet to be answered by anyone but the Lord Himself. My experience has been: start with the Word of God, trust Him, and you will know that you know when the Lord speaks. Like some of you, I have heard from the Lord on many different types of occasions. There is no formula. And I don’t believe there is anyone who hasn’t had a misstep, thinking the Lord was speaking, when, later, it became evident He was not, or the timing wasn't right.
Does this mean we didn’t have faith to hear the Lord speak to us...that we were too fleshly, too sinful, too easily deceived? NO! This is all part of learning to trust the Lord. If we continue to trust Him, He will take our mistakes and make them beautiful, as if things were supposed to have been that way from the beginning. We must believe that He does, indeed, wish to speak to us, lead us, and “guide our footsteps.” But sometimes--often, when we most desire an audible voice from the Lord--He guides almost imperceptibly. He gives us choices so that we can learn our own hearts.
Also, like a father, He sometimes wants us to make choices by ourselves, just so He can bless us. Picture a dad asking his 8-year-old son, “Do you want the red bicycle or the blue one?” They are not exactly identical and his son has no clue about which will be of better quality. Dad just wants to give him the one he wants. I have encountered many Christians who are so concerned about missing God’s will that they are like a little boy who refuses to choose, and just says, “You know best, Father.” But the father’s joy a nd excitement over the little boy getting his heart’s desire is gone. These same people sometimes speak of “not putting God in a box,” or “quenching the Spirit,” voicing their fear of limiting Him--yet they are keeping Him from doing His heart’s desire. Well, what if the desire of His heart is to bless you by giving you the desire of your heart?
So what does all this have to do with dancing? I had a conversation with a couple of friends about how we are all learning to live by faith in new dimensions. The Lord directs our steps a day at a time, even one tiny step at a time. Comments like, “It would be nice to know where I will sleep in a few days,” are not uncommon in Jerusalem. God’s provision is quite often just in time, and not a moment sooner. What is the Lord trying to teach us? Or train us all for?
I shared with those friends that as a former successful and creative project planner, I have had experience with incorporating contingency plan s into a schedule, so that when just about everything that could go wrong does, the schedule can still be used with only minor adjustments. Good project plans always incorporate a list of risk assessments anticipated while making the plan, and are presented along with the plan to management, the customer and the workers. Any deviations affect the entire schedule. For many years, I have thought of the Lord as the ultimate project planner. He just doesn’t let us see the entire schedule, showing only a few of the details. His master schedule has it all. But today, I heard myself say, “He isn’t executing a project plan--He is dancing with us!” Wow, what a different perspective! He is dancing a new dance never done before, and He wants us as His partner.
Many years ago, before I had learned to dance, a friend of my husband asked me to dance at a wedding and I was petrified. I was self-conscious, quite clumsy and embarrassed, knowing I would step on his toes. He dragg ed me to the dance floor, and because he was such a good dancer, he led without any effort to follow on my part and we floated around the room. To this day, I cannot dance well, but for that short time, I felt like a graceful ballerina--all because the man could lead so well. Father God knows how to lead. He holds us close to Himself and we fall in step as we look into His face and flow with His movements.
I am one who has always fought low self-esteem. From the time I was a little girl, I have looked at my feet a lot instead of looking up. I have good peripheral vision (praise God!) so I don’t bump into things too often. This has affected me spiritually, as well, and God has spent many years building up my spirit through His Word. I have memorized many scriptures about God blessing our feet.
I’ve had several ideas of late for sending out little nuggets of revelation the Lord has been blessing me with--but the timing hasn’t been right until now. So, today, I’d like to share a few thoughts with you on the subject of dancing (with the Lord).
Many people come to us asking prayer for the guidance of the Lord. Some ask, “How do I hear from God myself? How can I be sure it’s Him?” Well, that age-old question has yet to be answered by anyone but the Lord Himself. My experience has been: start with the Word of God, trust Him, and you will know that you know when the Lord speaks. Like some of you, I have heard from the Lord on many different types of occasions. There is no formula. And I don’t believe there is anyone who hasn’t had a misstep, thinking the Lord was speaking, when, later, it became evident He was not, or the timing wasn't right.
Does this mean we didn’t have faith to hear the Lord speak to us...that we were too fleshly, too sinful, too easily deceived? NO! This is all part of learning to trust the Lord. If we continue to trust Him, He will take our mistakes and make them beautiful, as if things were supposed to have been that way from the beginning. We must believe that He does, indeed, wish to speak to us, lead us, and “guide our footsteps.” But sometimes--often, when we most desire an audible voice from the Lord--He guides almost imperceptibly. He gives us choices so that we can learn our own hearts.
Also, like a father, He sometimes wants us to make choices by ourselves, just so He can bless us. Picture a dad asking his 8-year-old son, “Do you want the red bicycle or the blue one?” They are not exactly identical and his son has no clue about which will be of better quality. Dad just wants to give him the one he wants. I have encountered many Christians who are so concerned about missing God’s will that they are like a little boy who refuses to choose, and just says, “You know best, Father.” But the father’s joy a nd excitement over the little boy getting his heart’s desire is gone. These same people sometimes speak of “not putting God in a box,” or “quenching the Spirit,” voicing their fear of limiting Him--yet they are keeping Him from doing His heart’s desire. Well, what if the desire of His heart is to bless you by giving you the desire of your heart?
So what does all this have to do with dancing? I had a conversation with a couple of friends about how we are all learning to live by faith in new dimensions. The Lord directs our steps a day at a time, even one tiny step at a time. Comments like, “It would be nice to know where I will sleep in a few days,” are not uncommon in Jerusalem. God’s provision is quite often just in time, and not a moment sooner. What is the Lord trying to teach us? Or train us all for?
I shared with those friends that as a former successful and creative project planner, I have had experience with incorporating contingency plan s into a schedule, so that when just about everything that could go wrong does, the schedule can still be used with only minor adjustments. Good project plans always incorporate a list of risk assessments anticipated while making the plan, and are presented along with the plan to management, the customer and the workers. Any deviations affect the entire schedule. For many years, I have thought of the Lord as the ultimate project planner. He just doesn’t let us see the entire schedule, showing only a few of the details. His master schedule has it all. But today, I heard myself say, “He isn’t executing a project plan--He is dancing with us!” Wow, what a different perspective! He is dancing a new dance never done before, and He wants us as His partner.
Many years ago, before I had learned to dance, a friend of my husband asked me to dance at a wedding and I was petrified. I was self-conscious, quite clumsy and embarrassed, knowing I would step on his toes. He dragg ed me to the dance floor, and because he was such a good dancer, he led without any effort to follow on my part and we floated around the room. To this day, I cannot dance well, but for that short time, I felt like a graceful ballerina--all because the man could lead so well. Father God knows how to lead. He holds us close to Himself and we fall in step as we look into His face and flow with His movements.
I am one who has always fought low self-esteem. From the time I was a little girl, I have looked at my feet a lot instead of looking up. I have good peripheral vision (praise God!) so I don’t bump into things too often. This has affected me spiritually, as well, and God has spent many years building up my spirit through His Word. I have memorized many scriptures about God blessing our feet.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 34:23, 24.The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. Habakkuk 3:19.
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me that my feet did not slip. Psalm 18:36.
I have always been looking at my feet...but when you dance, you must not do that. Can you imagine what it would be like if those ballroom dancers were always looking at their feet? First off, you have to push away from your partner to see your feet. That makes it difficult for him to lead.
I see many in the body of believers keeping arm’s length from the Lord in order to tell where their feet might land, always worried about making a mistake. They are seeking God to show them what to do next instead of tr usting Him and just flowing with His Spirit. This is a great lesson to me and gives me perspective as I minister with the Lord and my husband, and live my daily personal life.
Thank you, Lord, that you are such a patient and loving Abba, our Daddy.
If you are seeking the Lord to direct you and help you make decisions, picture yourself as a little one in Daddy’s arms as he carries you across the dance floor. Then, see yourself a few years older, standing on Daddy’s feet as he dances with you, teaching you to move with Him. Finally, see yourself mature, as He takes you by the hand and you let Him lead you across the dance floor, leaning into Him and flowing with Him. And even when you misstep, as you lean into Him, see how He continues the flow. This has to be a lot easier than studying the plan to see where your feet ought to land next. Hallelujah!
Blessings!
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