Are you in step with God? Photo Courtesy of photostock

 Dancing. So my husband and I have been taking dance lessons in preparation for our daughter’s wedding. I love to dance, but let’s face it, at my age and season in life, that opportunity usually exists only at weddings! Even so, I have done my share of dancing over the years. In high school there were dances, cheerleading and the prom. After high school, weddings and reunions, and the occasional visit to a club. But my dancing has almost always been freestyle. Two people dancing together but really independent of one another. Two people listening to the same music, but sometimes moving to a different beat.

Couples dancing is a whole nuther thing!

The music is the same, but now we are connected. His hand is firmly planted on my upper arm to guide me. I must learn to mirror his moves. I have to get comfortable with not seeing where I am going. And the hardest thing of all? I have to let him lead!

In fact, if I were to be honest, this can be a challenge not only on the dance floor but in life. I like to lead. I like to be in charge of where I am going. I like to do things my way. But now I have an instructor who is standing an arm’s length away, watching me. And my husband knows that in this situation, on the dance floor, it is his right, no, his responsibility to lead. Whose idea was this anyway?

So, as happens in stressful situations that we don’t like, I have found a coping mechanism. I close my eyes. Yes, you read that right. When we are dancing and I feel the impulse to lead, I close my eyes. I have to listen to the music and rely only on the guiding hand of my husband on my arm. I realized the instructor caught on when he said, “Even if you close your eyes, Lynne, you still need to keep your head up.” Hey, whatever works. Maybe he can offer this to other women who struggle with wanting to lead, like me.

It occurred to me after one of our dance sessions how much this is like my relationship with the Lord. How life is the music and I am going through it freestyle. Sure, God is there, just a small step or two away. But we aren’t connected. Sure, we are listening to the same music, but sometimes I am moving to my own beat. Why? Is it because God has pushed me away to dance on my own? No. It’s because I like to lead. To be in charge. To see where I am going. But that isn’t how we were meant to dance, God and I. I was made to let Him guide me. I don’t always need to see where I am going – nor would I always want to if I could. His desire is for me to mirror His moves. It’s time to close my eyes, concentrate on the music, and let God lead me. Maybe it’s time take some dance lessons with God. How about you? Are you in step or out of step with God?

“…because of the tender mercy of our God, 
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness 
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Luke 1:78-80