Monday, July 8, 2013

FOOTSTEPS of FAITH

Being a dancer involves always being aware of what is going on in the body and how the dancer can tweak something in order to become better. It’s a constant growing process which involves changing and adapting so the dancer can have her body do some pretty incredible movements, stretches, and other dance steps that seem nearly impossible to the non-dancer. A dancer learns very quickly that they cannot do the same thing over and over again if they are trying to become better and change the outcome. If the dancer doesn’t apply the correction the teacher is giving her, she will never see a change in that particular step in order to get better. Just think, if a dancer can’t get around in a double turn because she is consistently using a bent supporting leg, what’s the obvious solution to her double turn woes? Make some sort of change, because what she’s doing now is not working! If she were to get upset and frustrated because she kept practicing her turn multiple times without getting any better, anyone could tell me her she needs to make a change in order to get better. No matter how much she believes in her mind that she can do her turns, she won’t succeed without making a change.

In the same way, as Christians, the Bible tells us there needs to be action that goes along with our faith. Essentially, it is telling us that our faith is dead without showing it through different works (James 2:26). What is so great about the God we serve is He tells us we need faith only the size of a mustard seed , and nothing will be impossible for us (Matthew 17:20). If we want to get closer to God, some sort of change or adjustment to our daily routine will need to be made. It may not be anything drastic, but making small adjustments here and there end up making quite the difference! Add some quiet time 15 minutes earlier than you usually get up every day and spend time with Jesus! Make it a point to replace a song you listen to on the radio with a praise and worship song on your iPod. Start talking about a favorite church service with the youth group on Wednesday night and start inviting some people that don’t go to church. If you see a girl upset or struggling with something at school, go up to her and ask her if you can pray for her. If you want to be bold about your faith to friends at school and share Jesus with them, make some changes! These small changes may feel uncomfortable at first, but that’s where faith comes in! Have faith and ACT on what Jesus tells us and see the difference happen!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Waiting in the "Green Room"

On occasion our dancers will be invited to dance at an event that utilizes a “green room”. Recently our high school teens ministered at a large women’s conference. We were escorted to the green room. Decorated beautifully, we found many hospitable amenities: waters, sodas, coffee, gourmet brownies, candies and gums in dishes, a large bathroom and changing room, and a huge table and comfy chairs in which to dine. The Lord began to speak to me after the event concerning the “green room”. What a blessed place to be, yet not intended for a long stay. The “green room” is a place of holding until it is our time to take stage and do what we were called to do.

Just as our guest provided us a wonderful atmosphere and our needs were met, the “green room” for our dancers was also used for other purposes. After we ate and relaxed, we studied the detailed schedule of the service so we would know when to move to the wings. We prayed with the musicians and speakers and maintained a spiritual focus. Too, we stretched and warmed up our bodies, making certain we were going to do our best when the time came for us to “go on”. As the service began, we had to keep our ears and eyes open as to be alert to when our time was drawing nearer.

And such is life……

There are times in our lives where we might feel like we are in the Green Room. We have spent years training and preparing, and now the holding place before we take stage. It is a place of pulling everything together and becoming focused on what is set before you. It is a place of being set apart from the crowd and not distracted – a place of spiritual focus, of stretching and review.

Perhaps you feel like your training and hard work in various areas of your life is ready and you are in a holding place. You are not there to sleep or to walk out aimlessly and enter the audience. You are there in final preparation for what God has planned for you. Use this time and be filled with anticipation. Be level headed and look to heaven for His presence for your future and His timing. Soon you will hear the stage director peep his head in the door and beckon you forward with these whispered words – “You’re on!”

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.” Psalm 62: 5 & 6