This is an image that I was thinking about in prayer recently, the idea of God as a divine dance partner.
Just like the novice dancers in Strictly Come Dancing, when we begin our journey of trusting in God, we just don't know what we're doing. We need to be taught, encouraged and ultimately led. But God does not lead us like an owner taking a dog for a walk, he moves, and he moves us in complex patterns, and in ways we can't understand.
The professionals in the show do their best to show the ability of their partner, they draw confidence out of them and impart skills. God wants us to be at our very best, so he guides, through the words of scripture, through the wisdom of others, prayer and revelation, and he gently teaches us how to be ourselves. He takes us as we are, and he forms us, it may involve pain, it will involve discipline and certain change. Our creator continues to create in us, throughout our lives.
The participants on Strictly have to trust their partners, how do they come to do that? Through building a relationship, spending time together, working together and getting to know each other. And when it comes to the pressure moments the partners are right there together. No one is judged alone.
But it is not a one sided effort, to be a perfect partnership, both must participate evenly, and both must be going in the same direction. God doesn't lead us like dogs, going where the owner leads with no understanding, he leads us as capable, responsible, intelligent people. He gives us opportunities to do his will, and will guide and support us even as we do it.
Jesus says "Follow me". Can I let him lead me? Do I believe that with him in my life, I can achieve all that is asked of me? Do I have the courage to follow him and hold on to him even in difficult times?
Well God is better than Strictly Come Dancing, he will take every one of us, no matter how tall, short, thin, fat, broken, bad or good, and make us more than we are.
He will never leave you or forsake you, the dance will never end. And joining the dance with God, is participating in a dance of love. God in his trinitarian nature is relationship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, sharing, loving.
God invites us to do something difficult yet beautiful with our lives, and he will lead us every step of the way.
