Learning to Follow God’s Lead

“I don’t dance,” I told Gary, shortly after we started dating. His reaction made me think I had just said something that was a “deal breaker.” Standing dumbfounded as he turned away shaking his head, I thought, What in the world is so important about dancing?   

After we were married, he told me dancing was important to him. But all my other wonderful qualities won him over. As it turned out we rarely had opportunity to dance through the last forty-eight years. When we did, we both realized we had no idea what we were doing. I mentioned dancing lessons as I watched dancers whirl about the dance floor with graceful, fluid moves. Some months later I was presented with a gift certificate for dancing lessons.

As we stepped out on the dance floor of the Arthur Murray studio all my anxieties of dancing flooded my mind – my ignorance, self-consciousness, lack of feminine grace. However, our instructor was gentle and engaging as he introduced himself and what we would be doing. The introductory steps he taught us were simple and fun. He also taught a fundamental principle I had trouble with.

It was obvious. There is a leader and a follower. Our teacher pointed out two things: one, my first step as a follower is always backwards as my leader needs to see where we are going and two, I need to let my leader tell me where to go, not anticipate what he will be doing. I realized I was doing just that – thinking I knew where he was going I headed in that direction before he led me. Many times it did not go well.

Once I relaxed, leaned back into his hand on my back, and waited for his guidance things went much better. It was an eye opener as God impressed on me that’s how we need to be with our relationship with Him. Anticipating His next move, I start heading out only to find out that’s not where He’s leading. Because He can see what’s going on around me He knows best how to navigate through the circumstances. My job is to relax, feel His hand directing me as I keep moving. Proverbs 3:5,6 says, it best, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding….He will make your paths straight.” What an example of learning to follow God’s lead.