Bouncing up and down Jennifer gleefully clapped her hands, “Daddy, Daddy, I want to dance. Fast, daddy, fast.” Laughing he put on music with a fast tempo. As he clasped her outstretched hands, she climbed onto his feet. With animated voices and beaming smiles, they joyously swayed to the music together.
Woof! Woof! Rosa excitedly stuck her nose between Jennifer & daddy. “Noooo Rosa!” Jennifer wailed momentarily stumbling. “Daddy help”, she cried. “Look at me Jennifer. I’ve got you.” Quickly he lifted her above Rosa and held her safely in his loving arms. Contented, her daddy’s warmth and swaying were lulling her to sleepily yawn, “Where are we dancing daddy?” “We are dancing up to your room where you can rest. It’s bed time.”
WHO LEADS US AS WE DANCE THROUGH LIFE?
Do we follow the crowd? Do we dance to our own music? Does Jesus lead the dance? Most of us have probably experienced a mixture of all three. I know that I have.
Who leads our dance through life varies with our age, our circumstances and the tempo of our lives. Is the tempo upbeat and happy, slow and solemn or so rapid we are unsure we can complete the dance? Whatever our age, our circumstances or the tempo, we never have to dance through life alone. Jesus is always there.
Jesus is waiting for us to stretch out our hands
and climb onto His feet,
so that He can lead our dance.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me,
Psalm 139:9-10
WHERE WILL JESUS LEAD?
HE LEADS US TO GREEN PASTURES & STILL WATERS
Just as Jennifer’s daddy led her to rest in bed, so too are we led to green pastures. Ok, we won’t actually be led to sleep in a pasture, but doesn’t it sound like a place of rest? Don’t still waters sound refreshing? Jesus lovingly leads us to rest and refreshment restoring our bodies and our souls. Don’t we all want that?
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul,
Psalm 23:2-3
HE LEADS US INTO JOY
Like Jennifer felt joy with her daddy leading the dance, we find joy with Jesus leading our dance through life.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore,
Psalm 16:11
HE LEADS US TO NAVIGATE OBSTACLES
Jennifer’s daddy’s large, strong feet were a firm foundation for her tiny feet making her feel secure as they danced. His height allowed him to foresee and avoid any obstacles in their path.
Standing on Jesus’ feet gives us a firm foundation as He leads our dance. We can feel safe knowing that He is stronger, greater and able to handle anything we encounter. From His vantage point, He can foresee any obstacles we will encounter and guide us in our dance.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths,
Proverbs 3:5-6
BUT I HIT OBSTACLES & STUMBLE!!!
When Jesus leads our dance, He lovingly guides us in whatever way is best for our hearts and His glory. Sometimes it may be around an obstacle and sometimes it may be through it.
Hitting an obstacle may cause us to stumble, like Jennifer. Rosa was the obstacle that disrupted Jennifer’s focus on her daddy causing her to stumble. If our obstacles cause us to take our focus off the Lord onto the obstacle, we stumble too.
Don’t’ worry, just as Jennifer cried for help and was lifted to safety, if we cry out to Jesus, He lifts us to safety too.
I will extol You, O Lord,
for You have lifted me up,
And have not let my foes rejoice over me,
Psalm 31:1
FAITH TO DANCE
Joyously dancing on her daddy’s feet, Jennifer had faith that he would safely lead the way. In fact, she was so contented, she started to drift to sleep. Wouldn’t you like to have that much faith in Jesus?
It appears that the apostle Paul did. His dance was disrupted by obstacles such as shipwrecks, imprisonment and threats. Yet, Paul wrote:
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength,
Philippians 4:12-13 NIV
Imagine going through life with the faith like Paul’s;
the faith of a child?
To have faith in Jesus like a little child is a process. Obstacles cause disruptions that continually vie for our attention. But by keeping our focus on Jesus rather than the disruptions, we can feel less stress and more joy. When Jesus leads our dance, we can be contented too.
DON’T YOU WANT TO STAND ON JESUS’ FEET
&
LET HIM LEAD THE DANCE?
REFLECTION
Is Jesus leading your dance?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Proverbs 3:5-6 and say it aloud, help me to relinquish control of my life into Your hands. Lead my dance into the rest, refreshment and joy You lovingly desire for me. In Jesus name. Amen.
IN FAITH LET JESUS LEAD YOUR DANCE
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
Photo warning, denvit
Photo pasture, kavya
Photo feet facing, Cassidy James
