“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

Like many newlyweds do, Chad and I had a traditional first dance at our wedding reception. Now, it wasn’t the stuff of epic, viral first dances. Nope. It was a rather boring demonstration. Very, very vanilla. We treated our guests to several minutes of us recycling the same three moves and shuffling around to Etta James’ “At Last.” Oh, and there was one fairly awkward dip at the end. One dip. And we nearly fell over.

I’m not much of a dancer, but I can follow a strong partner. Chad is a great leader. In business, he’s thoughtful, decisive, collaborative and confident. But on the dance floor? He’s the exact opposite of all that. So, during our wedding dance, I tried to lead, but we ended up stepping on one another’s toes. A lot.

When that didn’t work, I tried to coach him along. I’d whisper in his ear what next steps to take, so I could “follow” him. That way it would look like he was leading, but I was still in charge, making sure we didn’t do something that would haunt us for the rest of our lives. This thing was being videotaped, after all! That didn’t work either. In dancing, you’re not really leading if you have to be told what to do.

On that May evening years ago, we moved around to music, but I don’t know legitimate dancers would say we actually “danced.” We were going through the motions, but we weren’t dancing.

When I look back on my spiritual journey — the dance I have with the Lord — I’d say the same has been true. I’ve been going through the motions, but I don’t know if you’d call it “dancing.”

I’ve often thought that I know the song better. Or I’ve danced along to a song in my head, trying to make my own music. Sometimes I would breakdance when the Lord was trying to lead me to waltz. I resisted the gentle pull of His arms, pushing Him away so I could do my own thing.

Now in this analogy, God is nothing like my Chad when it comes to dancing. Our strong and tender God is completely competent to lead us. He knows all the moves to make. He knows the rhythm of our lives perfectly; He wrote the music. He isn’t making it up as He goes along. It’s all been perfectly orchestrated since the beginning of time.

Today’s key verse, Psalm 143:8, reminds us to fully trust God to lead us. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

Ultimately, this dance of sanctification is God’s process to lead. He’s the One who designed it. He’s the One in control of it. He’s the One setting the pace. At the end of your faith journey, you will be sanctified — set apart as holy — because God is the one initiating the whole thing, and He promises to finish the dances that He starts.

Oh Father, thank You for being our trustworthy dance partner, always leading and always within arm’s reach. You are faithful, ever competent and kind. Help me resist my tendency to want to lead, and give me Your unfailing grace when I push You away or step on Your toes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Psalm 118:8, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.” (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES

For more on what this dance with God looks like, order your copy of Sick of Me: From Transparency to Transformation by Whitney Capps. In her brand-new release, Whitney shows how spiritual growth means being both honest and holy — that we can come to Jesus just as we are, but we cannot stay that way. If you want to be honest about all your junk, but you’re also sick of staying there, Sick of Me is for you.

It’s easy to get frustrated with the local church — we see the people in the pews up close, both their beauty and blemishes. But God has a purpose and a plan that He uniquely accomplishes in and through the church, and He wants you to be part of it. Discover God’s ultimate desire for the church and your part in it through Whitney Capps’ brand-new Bible study, We Over Me.

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You can also visit Whitney’s website to download your free resource, the “Sick of Me Manifesto.”

REFLECT AND RESPOND

When have you taken the lead for how you grew in your faith? How did that work for you? Share your thoughts in our comments!

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