“Who do you think will win?
“My wife is addicted to that show.”
“My daughter is pulling for that guy who plays for the Bengals.”
Snippets of conversation I overheard this weekend, all concerning the television show Dancing with the Stars.
Then I read this quote:
“God is the lead dancer and the soul is the partner completely attuned to the rhythm and patterns set by the partner. She does not lead, but neither does she hang limp like a sack of potatoes.” Thomas Merton, quoted in Listening to the Music of the Spirit: The Art of Discernment
, by David Lonsdale.
, by David Lonsdale.Now that is the Star I want to dance with every moment of my life. My deepest desire of my heart is for God to be my lead dancer.
Reminded me of the story I bet many of you are familiar with:
“When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing “dance” at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn’t flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another. It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw “G”: I thought of God, followed by “u” and “i”. God, you, and I dance (“God,” + “u” and “i,” + “dance.”). As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.” Jean Rhodes
At a workshop this past weekend I felt God gently ask, “Where are your eyes focused?”
I am not a good dance partner if I am distracted by my surroundings whirling around me and not paying attention to my Partner. Like Jean Rhodes wrote above: The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
Quotes to ponder this week:
I would believe only in a God that knows how to dance. ~Friedrich Nietzsche
We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance. ~Japanese Proverb
You can dance anywhere, even if only in your heart. ~Author Unknown
I see dance being used as communication between body and soul, to express what it too deep to find for words. ~Ruth St. Denis
To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak. ~Hopi Indian Saying
You lead, Lord. My work is to surrender daily, giving You my willing heart and all my focus. Fixing my attentiveness on my lead Partner this week and hopefully much longer.
What helps you focus on God?
All your posts are so well-written, but this one is a favorite.
This seems to be a theme for me recently. I childishly try to lead, foolishly try to chart my own course instead of letting go and trusting. This post is a reflection of what has been on my heart so much lately ~ thank you!
You know…I wrote a post similar to this recently lol (only referring to American Idol and not nearly so eloquently written!). It’s such a shame the things we place before God and then claim that we don’t have “time for church” and a myriad of other excuses. I focus on God by making sure that I’m saying little praises/prayers throughout the day and not just rushing through prayer time to get it over and done with!!
Tweeting it out for Tweet Me Tuesday!
Heidi your reminder idea mirrors a post I wrote last week. We both do the same things!
Thanks for both comments and don’t you just love the image of dancing with God?
Wow, great post. I know this seems artificial, but in order to get my heart and mind re-focused back on God (after a typically wonderful time spent lingering with the Lord in the morning hour), I set my watch timer for every 15 minutes. In fact, it is going off right now. Yep…*every* 15 minutes. When it beeps, I redirect my thoughts to him. Sometimes it is a “Hello,God.” Sometimes it is to thank him…I typically pick a “theme” for the day. Sometimes it will be the names of friends or family that I again lift to him. Sometimes it is confession…But this way I know that I will at least be reminded to think of him again. My mind and heart wander so much. 🙁
Great thoughts to ponder today, Jeanie. I know that I’ve been so guilty of taking the lead so many times.
What helps me to focus on God is to spend time with Him first thing in the morning and then to focus on His purpose for me throughout the day … talking with Him continually as I go throughout my day. Wonderful post, as always!
Tweeting it now as part of Tweet Me Tuesday! ;0)