"Come close to God, and God will come close to you." James 4:8a (NLT)

My husband is a great guy, but his dance moves leave a lot to be desired. His rhythm doesn't match the music; he's always a beat behind or several beats ahead.

The thing is, this does not stop him from dancing. Whether in our living room or at a wedding, he jumps in with enthusiasm. If everybody's going left and he's going right, he doesn't care. He has a smile on his face. He's having a blast.

The other night he held out his arms and asked me to dance. He switched on some tunes and off we went. He danced to his own tempo, while I listened for the beat of the music. We weren't in sync at all.

And then I had a thought.

What if I just went with it? What if I let him lead regardless of whether he was moving in the direction or timing I thought he should be? What if I just matched his moves?

I slipped into his arms. When he was off tempo, I moved off tempo with him. When he sped up or threw in a funky and creative twist, I sloughed off my self-consciousness and matched it. Fifteen minutes later we were both breathless and having the time of our lives!

He didn't become a great dancer in those 15 minutes, but I became a better dance partner.

In the book of James, we find a church out of sync. They're quarreling and fighting. James exposes the heart issues behind this lack of unity - things like jealousy and being judgmental with each other - but then issues an invitation: "Come close to God, and God will come close to you" (James 4:8a).

It was a move that had the power to bring them back into harmony.

Many times we might feel out of sync as well. It could be another person, or even God, causing our hearts to struggle. We pray He will change someone else, change our circumstances or that at least change the way we feel.

James' invitation is for us, as well. Come close to God and He'll come close to you.

Listen closely for the rhythm of His leading. It might feel uncomfortable in the beginning. His timing in your circumstances might feel quicker or slower than you planned. His instructions might conflict with how you expected Him to answer.

But there's a gift found when you let God take the lead. You start to understand His rhythm in your life and in your thoughts. Your will begins to align with His.

Whatever You say, Lord, I'll listen.

Wherever You are leading, Father, I'll go.


Whatever You ask me to do, I'll do it.

You rediscover how to trust and depend on Him. You start to go against how you feel to choose what leads you into compassion or wisdom, rather than anger or jealousy or words that cause harm.

Dance with Me.

That's our invitation from a God who knows exactly what He wants to do inside of you, in those trying circumstances, within that relationship or in that hard place.

Until the other night, if you'd asked me about Richard's dancing, I would have said his lack of rhythm was the problem. But now I know that I was listening to the wrong beat all along.

Lord, I've been out of sync with You. Thank You for your invitation to come to You. I'm holding out my arms and aligning my moves with Yours. Help me trust and depend on You completely. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Psalm 73:28, "But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do." (NLT)

RELATED RESOURCES:

If you've been struggling with quarrels or conflict, Suzie Eller's book, The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness offers hope and help.

Join Suzie on her blog for a giveaway and to discover three small steps to intimate faith.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

These tips for beginning dancers are just as relevant in our faith:

1. Position yourself. (James 4:7 - humility is a powerful position.)

2. Trust your partner. (James 4:6 - God offers grace.)


3. Allow yourself to be led. (James 4:10 - He's leading you to higher places.)

© 2015 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.