I am not good at dancing. In fact, I am terrible at dancing…just ask my life partner, Jenny. The truth is, I avoid dancing. How about you? If you are like me, imagine, however, that you want to learn how to dance. Maybe you want to surprise your partner or your children. So then what do you do?
I heard a story about a wise person who once said that if you want to learn how to dance you can watch you-tube videos about dancing. You can read a book. By whatever means, you can get to work practicing various dance moves. And you will have to practice and practice and practice.
Finally, the day will come when you think you are ready to dance publicly. So then what do you do? You invite your loved ones to watch you. You then attempt the perfect dance moves. You lead with your right foot, lean to the left, move gracefully around the room…at least in your own mind.
And when you have finished demonstrating your dancing prowess you proclaim you have danced perfectly…well, at least ok.
Your family stares at you. Then your partner smiles and says how you executed things…just fine. But that you forgot the most important things…the music and a partner. And then your partner invites you to dance again extending arms and putting on some music to follow and says, “This time do not worry about the steps, just embrace me and follow the music.”
That is a good story. A wise story.
As we contemplate our God given gifts, I pray that we seek wisdom into how we will work together to be most effective in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. I pray that we lift-up our ideas about ministry, that we share how we feel the Holy Spirit is leading us. Let us relax and trust each other as we walk together in faith.
You and I know that dancing without music is, at best, a tough thing to do. Let’s remember that the music of Christ’s ministry is found in our partnership and is lifted up in our passions. We know that unless we are fully engaged to do that for which God calls us, unless we continue to “practice,” we will just make a bit of noise…without any composition…without any organization.
The Good News is that Jesus is with us every step of our faith journeys…as individuals and as this congregation. The Good News is that we are continually called, gathered, equipped, and sent out in Christ’s mission for Christ’s sake. We are continually fed to reach out to our neighbors and to join with them…to move with them… in celebrations and burdens. We dance with them in faith.
My friends, let us always remember that we are a faith-filled congregation because God provides the music, takes our hands and transforms us…continually re-creates us to move towards our God created potentials. Let’s dance!
Christ’s Peace, Pastor Steve