I love to dance, especially two step. I was about 12 years old when I learned to two step for the first time. I was on a youth trip at Garner State Park. Every night, Garner hosted a dance at the pavilion and we would go hang out as a group. One night, one of the chaperones took it upon himself to teach me to dance. I remember walking out onto the ‘dance floor’ thinking, “I already know how to dance. He is gonna be so surprised at how good I already am.” Funny huh. Especially coming from a 12 year old who had really never danced with a partner her whole life.
As he started to coach me and teach me about dancing, he started to guide me through the steps. I was too grown to stand on his feet and let him carry me, so instead he had me stand on my tip toes. Doing so left me unstable in my stance and made me unable to hold my ground as firmly. As he moved, I fumbled and fell and stepped all over his toes. He coached me on relaxing my stance. I hadn’t even realized I was so stiff and set in my own ability to dance that I couldn’t even tell he was trying to lead me. I spent more time looking behind me to make sure we weren’t going to collide with other people on the dance floor or looking to see if other people were watching and making fun of my dancing that I couldn’t enjoy the music.. He was so patient with me. He reminded me over and over, relax.. it’s ok I can see over you and around you… don’t worry if others are watching.. I’ve got you.. it’s ok.
As my stance loosed and I began to pay attention to the way his hand guided my arm, I began to notice the ever so subtle guidance he was giving me. Instead of trying to pick my feet up between each step and dance on my own, I allowed my feet to slide smoothly across the pavilion floor. Standing on my tip toes suddenly made me light on my feet. Loosening my arms and my grasp, I could all of the sudden tell when he was going to turn me or when we would change directions. I could change my steps easily to match his if needed. And next thing I knew we were floating around the pavilion floor. I was completely at ease and trusted him. I stopped looking over my shoulder to see if we were going to bump into people or not. I stopped worrying about the next step to take. I stopped worrying about whether people were watching or not. Instead I enjoyed the dance.
God has used this experience to teach me so much about my relationship with Him. How often do I walk into my day with God and think I have it all figured out. “Don’t worry God. I’ve got this.” Only to realize that He is trying to turn me when I’m trying to go straight. He is trying to go straight and I am trying to turn. Yet He is patient with me and still wants to lead me. I love that about God. I love that He doesn’t shout at me and try to control me. Instead, He gently tugs at my hand to turn me.. or he slightly adds pressure to His hand on my waist so that I know to shift ever so slightly. The hard part is that because of how God leads, I often have to remind myself to relax.. to pay attention to the gentle movements around me, and to let go of my own agenda or idea about how things should go. How often I get distracted because I am worried someone is watching and criticizing me or worried I am about to bump into someone and fall. And then I hear Him gently say to me, “Don’t worry baby girl.. I’ve got you and I’ve got this. Just keep your eyes on my and pay close attention to my leading. Enjoy the dance baby girl.”
I’ll never forget learning to dance that summer and the lessons God has taught me out of that moment. Funny thing is.. when I think back on it, my youth chaperone didn’t really even teach me to dance. What he taught me was how to follow..
Dance with me Lord
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
Original Post: 10.14.2014
A Girl and Her God 