Would You Like to Dance?

When was the last time you were invited to dance? What was your response? Do you remember the last time you danced? What was it like?

Our daughter Leah got married last month. At the end of the reception, the dance floor was full; Leah and Ben, along with their guests, were having the time of their lives. As the mom watching, I couldn’t stop smiling. The freedom, fun, and happiness in that moment are memories I treasure. 

I didn’t dance much that night. I invited someone, but they weren’t that interested. ( It was a 6-year-old boy who seemed like he wanted to join, but I guess not.) But there has been Someone continually inviting me to dance. God has. He graciously continues to invite me into a spiritual dance that always ends in peace, freedom, and joy. The dance is not complicated. The steps are always the same.

The invitation comes multiple times a day. Last night, the invitation was clear.  I saw something on social media that seemed like a promise broken. My heart immediately responded with anger, jealousy, comparison, and self-pity. I began to wonder how to fix it. Do I work harder? Confront this person? Let my mind spin as I attempt to come up with a solution. Do I give up and try something else altogether? How can I avoid this person without letting them know I am avoiding them? Not a fun place I wanted to be stuck in. 

That’s when I heard the invitation.

God, “Andrea, what are you focusing on?”

Me, “Things I don’t have that I want. Broken commitments that sting.”

God, “What is coming up in your heart?”

Me, “Anger, jealousy, and self-pity. I’m comparing, and my life is coming up short.”

Step One- Repentance

God, “Come to me. Where might you repent?”

Me, “Father, I know your word tells me not to compare. It is a trap, and I am in it. Would you forgive me?”

God, “yes, every time. 100%. On the cross, I have paid for that sin in full.”

Step Two- Belief

God, “Can you look at Me instead of the painful situation? What is true about Me? Where do I fill the gaps?

Me, “You are the good and gracious God who gives me everything I need for life today. You are the Good Shepherd. You have been leading me all the days of my life to where I am today. You have given me a seat at your table. It is a different seat from my friend. I can trust you to choose which place and seat you want each of us to have. You satisfy me with good things. What I am looking for really doesn’t satisfy, but I quickly seem to forget that.”

Step Three- Moving Forward in Love

God, “How could you love in this situation?”

Me, “Please help me with this! Help me focus on You more than what I want. Help me hold onto the truth that You are enough, that Your grace is sufficient, that You are trustworthy. Thank you for all you have given me. Thank you for drawing me to yourself through the need of my heart.

I can love by rejoicing in where they are. I can love by rejoicing in where you have me. I can love by not blaming them. We are all fallen people with beauty and brokenness. Help me rest in your sovereignty.” 

It took several attempts to go back through the steps, but my dance partner, the Holy Spirit, kept leading graciously. He is kind enough not to leave me on the dance floor by myself. As we kept dancing, peace came. Freedom came. Joy in knowing He is leading came. I’m not sure when I’ll receive the invitation today, but I know it will come. “Andrea, would you like to dance?” May my response be, “Yes, Lord,” as He takes me by the hand and invites me to Himself.

Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.