A couple of decades ago I saw an ad that said something like
this - “Take dance lessons. She will love it.” So I signed Bev and myself up for a swing
dance class. Really, I did! Our instructors opened the first session by putting
on a song and showing us what they hoped to teach us to achieve; two people, moving as one, gracefully across
the floor. I loved the beauty of it. After two frustrating sessions, I gave up
and became a class drop-out. Bev could dance, beautifully, and I regret we
could never share that joy. I am told that there are two reasons that I can't
dance. First, I am self-conscious and won't just
'let myself go.’ Second, I am over thinking the dance; trying to break down
each movement into tiny parts rather than just moving into the music.
To become a good dancer, I’d have to come under the influence of the music as
well as becoming more responsive to the movement of my partner.
In case you’re wondering if there is a point to this, let’s
get on with it. Living as a Spirit-filled Christian is a kind of ‘dance’ a life
lived in synchronized with God’s music and responsive to His lead. The Bible says,
(Galatians 5:25) “Since we live by the
Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Do you find your Christian life like my experience in that dance class? I could hear the instructor’s words. I watched them and wanted it but I just could not make it happen. Do you see some enjoying the joy of the Lord, watch them worship, see their fulfillment and wonder, why can’t I find that rhythm? Some of just will not let go and let Him lead. We surrender for a moment or a day but quickly return to forcing our own agenda. While others move through life’s difficulties and disappointments, enduring ill health, traffic jams, and overcoming temptation with real grace, we bumble along.
Do you find your Christian life like my experience in that dance class? I could hear the instructor’s words. I watched them and wanted it but I just could not make it happen. Do you see some enjoying the joy of the Lord, watch them worship, see their fulfillment and wonder, why can’t I find that rhythm? Some of just will not let go and let Him lead. We surrender for a moment or a day but quickly return to forcing our own agenda. While others move through life’s difficulties and disappointments, enduring ill health, traffic jams, and overcoming temptation with real grace, we bumble along.
Simon Peter was called by Jesus to become a disciple. For
three years, he didn't get it right. Talk about a man with bad timing. Oh, he
tried mightily but, too often, things turned out badly. The low point was the
night of Jesus' arrest and trial. When warned of impending failure by the Lord,
Peter insisted that even if the other disciples failed, "I never will!" "Ah,"
Jesus said sadly, "but you will,
Peter. Before the rooster announces the dawn, you will deny me three
times." A few hours later as
Jesus was being arrested, Peter pulled out his sword and made an attempt at
defending his Friend, succeeding only in cutting off a man's ear, which Jesus
promptly healed, as He told Peter, "Put that thing away!" And, later
that same night, in the grip of panic in the courtyard of the high priest’s
house, Peter was cursing and swearing while emphatically declaring, "I
tell you, I never knew him!"
Fifty days later, at Pentecost, we meet a transformed man in Acts, a
man dancing with the Spirit! Empowered, Peter provided leadership to the
emerging group of followers of Jesus, explained the Scripture, preached on the
street, and courageously faced the enemies of the Jesus movement. With grace
and beauty we watch him lead the Church. How does the Bible account for the
difference? Acts 4:8 sums it up, saying "Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, ... " The life and music of the Spirit filled him
up and he began to dance gracefully under the Spirit's influence, moving to the
rhythms of Heaven. When he came to the end of himself, when he was crushed
beyond hope, God came with the outpouring of His Spirit. From that day, Peter
danced. Yes, he made mistakes now and again, but he was a man of grace and
power, who spread the message of Jesus and life across the world!
Yesterday, in a time of prayer with 3 other local pastors, I
asked them to pray for me as I try to find a life without Bev, my wife, who
went to Heaven 18 months ago. It’s been a time of ‘lostness’ for me. As we prayed, I felt an impression to get on
my knees instead of remaining seated like the others. It felt strange, but I
followed the impression. The prayers continued and I knelt there praying softly
in the Spirit, a kind of desperation driving my prayer. Then there was another impression – “Hush!” I stopped saying anything, waiting quietly
and then suddenly … it is hard to
describe … I was enveloped in His Presence. The voices of my fellow Pastor
disappeared, and I was lost in a place of safety, peace – almost as if I were
sleeping, yet awake. In a few moments I
returned to conscious awareness of the room, where the others were still
praying, but I felt as if I had slept an entire night, so rested. An interesting secondary effect was that my
knees that had been very painful for several days were no longer giving me any pain!
The sense of peace and rest persisted
for the entire day! To enjoy that small blessed experience, I had to follow His lead.
Are you 'keeping step with the Spirit,' or are you stumbling
and bumbling, from fall to failure?
Listen to the music of the Spirit. Give yourself over to His
lead. Be filled! And, start to dance!
Here is a word from the Word. "Once when Jesus (post Resurrection) was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until
the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized
with water, but in just a few days you
will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So when the apostles were with
Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel
and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to
set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me
everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth.” (Acts 1:4-8, NLT)
Let Him lead; Lord of
the dance!
____________
Spirit
Of The Living God (worship as you
listen)
Spirit of the living
God
Spirit of the living
God
We only want to hear
Your voice
We're hanging on ev'ry
word
Spirit of the living
God
Spirit of the living
God
We want to know You
more and more
We're hanging on ev'ry
word
Come and speak to us O
Lord
'Cause when You speak
and when You move
When You do what only
You can do
It changes us
It changes what we see
and what we seek
When You come in the
room
When You do what only
You can do
It changes us
It changes what we see
and what we seek
You're changing
ev'rything
Spirit of the living
God
Spirit of the living
God
We're leaning in to
all You are
Ev'rything else can
wait
Spirit of the living
God
Spirit of the living
God
Come now and breathe
upon our hearts
Come now and have Your
way
When You move You move
all our fears
When You move You move
us to tears
When You move You move
all our fears
When You move You move
us to tears
When You fall we fall
on our knees
When You fall we fall
at Your feet
And when You fall we
fall on our knees
And when You fall we
fall at Your feet yeah
Spirit of the living
God
Spirit of the living
God
We only want to hear
Your voice
We're hanging on ev'ry
word
Jacob Sooter | Mia Fieldes
© 2014 All Essential Music (Admin. by Essential Music
Publishing LLC)
Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing
LLC)
CCLI License # 810055
Faith Discovery Church
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