You never know when God is going to speak to you... Two weeks ago, the setup for His voice began while I was dancing a Brazilian dance with a random man in Chicago’s Grant Park.
I can’t believe I just typed that. This is because: a) I’m not much of a dancer. I do love music, and can keep a pretty good beat, yet Norwegian-blooded people aren’t typically known for their dancing exhibitions... And, b) I’m not one to hang out with random men in Chicago – or anywhere.
This was a special night, however, as the family girls had gathered for a weekend in Chicago and we were excited about having some dancing fun together. I’m not sure exactly how it happened, but I do know that I ended up moving to the beat (sort of), on the huge wooden dance floor, under the sky-scraper-studded Chicago night sky. Well, the next thing I knew, I was paired with this stranger, who actually knew this hip-swinging, partner-twirling, Brazilian dance, which, clearly, I did not.
There was no dancing (or other) chemistry between us, but he did kindly try to lead me through the steps and twirls, and in the short while we danced, I bet he smiled and said at least four or five times: “Just let me lead.” One of the last times he said it I wondered if he actually thought I had control issues. And then I wondered if I did...
Well, later that night – while fast asleep, safely back at the condo – I had a dream. I dreamed that I was again dancing with this guy, and after hearing over and over, “Just let me lead,” I suddenly and totally released myself to his lead, and…..twirled around and around, dancing perfectly, like I had never danced before in my life! It was so much fun. And I couldn’t believe how well I was dancing! It really worked when I let him lead.
Then, still in my dream, I thought, “Hmm, this must be what God wants me to do. He wants me to simply, and totally, let Him lead. And…I wonder what that would be like? Would I be able to do things that I’ve never been able to do before?” And the final thought, still in my dream: “I should blog about this.”
I’m not too surprised that since that night in Chicago I have heard God’s voice over and over say to me, “Just let me lead.” And as I, more and more, release myself to His leading – release my fretting and my seeking to control things – it becomes more and more fun, and things seem to go better and better. I’m not saying that all is lovely, and that everything is turning out perfectly, but relaxing and allowing my Lord to lead is bringing me new peace and confidence in the day to day steps and struggles of life.
I’ve told a few friends this story, and they said they were blessed by it. I decided it was time to agree with the thought in my dream and blog about it.
