Now,
when I see the word “Guidance”
I always see “dance” at the end…
Doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.
A dance is always an invitation,
and an acceptance.
It cannot be forced,
and still be a dance.
In dancing, there is only one that leads…
if both partners try to lead,
nothing feels right.
The movement is a struggle;
it doesn’t meld with the music,
everything is uncomfortable,
out of step, and awkward.
When one partner yields to the other,
both bodies appear to flow effortlessly.
The lead is cued gently, from one to the other,
with a barely perceptible touch to the back,
or a small shift in direction,
a turn of the head.
It is as if the two become one body,
the movement is smooth and beautiful,
perfect synchrony one with the other,
in step to the cadence of the music.
To dance takes complete surrender,
willingness and attentiveness from one partner,
and gentle guidance and skill from the other,
both fully present and aware.
One hears the music,
the other reflects the music that is heard.
One moves,
the other responds.
For the one who leads,
there is such pleasure in knowing that his partner will be
right where he wants her to be,
just where he expects her to be,
ready for the next step.
Sometimes he leads her into dizzying spins,
or breathless flips,
in that moment,
she doesn't know where she is,
or where he is,
but can trust that he knows exactly where they are,
and will bring her out,
on time,
in perfect step with him again.
There are times when he will travel backwards,
and she has a glimpse of where they are going,
she can see what lies ahead,
and then suddenly a reverse,
and she sees nothing but him,
and where they have already passed
and must travel blind to the new direction.
The music is loud,
the light is dim,
her senses aren't sufficient to navigate
he is her guide,
and on him alone she must focus.
To dance,
is to allow myself to be guided.
In the word “Guidance”,
the “G” can represent God,
followed by “U” and “I.”
God, you and I dance.
Funny thing about dancing,
with the right partner,
I don't even have to like the song
to enjoy the dance...
Just as in dancing,
as I am willing to follow another’s lead,
I yield myself to God’s will.
His gentle guidance,
and my total surrender,
will help me transcend any circumstance in life
with the joy experienced in dancing with the perfect partner.
A friend gave the beginnings of this to me...and I absolutely loved it (Thank You for the inspiration, Dani...I took a few liberties with it...a lot of liberties :) and made it my own...)
The animals are almost all sold...winter is here. So much in my life has changed...
I have been led gently along a new path, remembering who I was, and becoming the new person God would have me to be. Along the way, I have rediscovered dancing. Before I married, I was a ballroom dance instructor and a competitive dancer. For fifteen years, I have not danced. I stopped listening to the music that made me long to dance. But God is playing a new song...and He has invited me to dance. The song is unfamiliar, and I'm not even sure whether I like it - or not. One thing I do know, I still love to dance, and there is joy in dancing with the Perfect Partner.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning
and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalm 30:11,12
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