Heaven’s Heartbeat - Lord of the Dance

The one we worship is the one we dance with in life, and I like to dance.

When I met Jesus, He didn’t ask me to stop dancing; He just asked me to change dance partners. Jesus wants His children to dance, and I’ve since learned that the many dance partners I had in my life were stepping on my toes—and my heart.

There is a world of dance partners who wanted to lead, promising to make me happy, and I gladly followed, trying to stay in step with mesmerizing lyrics and soaring melody that whirled me up high—only to glide off and leave me alone on the dance floor.

But each time I agreed to learn the new steps with a new partner, I discovered that my lead had put a pair of shoes on my feet that were a size too small. Before long, every step was agony until I couldn’t stand it anymore, tearing the shoes off my feet in bitter disappointment.

Then I met Jesus. His music was new, different and wonderful, and the dance steps were easy, light and happy. The shoes He gave me fit perfectly, and He never stepped on my toes. At first, I felt like I was floating on air as I followed Jesus’ heavenly tunes, with musical notes that were new to my ears and soul. We flowed over life’s dance floor, leaping and spinning with celebration and joy.

But when an unexpected partner cut in, asking, “Can I have this dance?” I didn’t resist. Jesus stepped back, and Religion swayed me to a different dance ritual that made me sweat and perspire profusely, trying to keep up and stay in step. The music was rigid, and the steps became rote and routine. But I learned them reasonably well and soon began demanding that others around me dance to the same tune. Weary and weighed down, I saw Jesus out of the corner of my eye. He motioned for me to come to Him, and I did. Suddenly, all the tightness in my chest was released, my weighted shoulders relaxed, my heart and feet lightened instantly.

Once again, I found myself dancing Spirit Songs with Jesus, as if I were stepping on air. It was a feeling of relief and comfort beyond anything I had experienced before.

Again, another cut in, taking the lead; Jesus stepped back, and off I went with Celebrity leading me. I won’t deny it, the magnetic draw of power, possessions and popularity was very strong. The peer pressure and people-pleasing struggle were intense, because it had now become dirty dancing that distracted me from the real music and dance of life. The contrast was stark, and the allure of Celebrity gripped me tightly in its embrace.

Then, in a flash, the mask fell from the face of Celebrity, and I saw for the first time the creature leading my steps in a downward spiral. When I stopped spinning, I was on the floor, on the seat of my pants. Celebrity was gone, and Jesus stood beside me with outstretched arms. He whisked me away into the light.

There have been many other dance partners who have tried to cut in and lead me away from Jesus. But none of them know the music or the steps of my Creator and Lord.

Sometimes, it has been my own desire to dance solo.

But then I remember Jesus’ music and the easy way He leads.

Don McLean almost convinced me that the music had died. Oh, how I disagree now. For me, the music had just begun when I met Jesus. The joy and fulfillment I find in dancing with Jesus’ leading was unlike anything I had experienced before. It is a song and dance that will change your tune and lighten your step.

Jesus is the real Lord of the dance.

- Micah