Sunday, November 29, 2009

Follow the Leader

When she walked out onto the dance floor I don’t think she really had any idea what was about to happen. Neither did the judges or the viewers for that matter.


The daughter of a famous musician, she had lived quite the life. She spoke of how she viewed herself. She talked of the drugs she had taken to cope with the ridicule she had faced as a child in school. It was a means to escape the pain.


What happened over the course of the next ten weeks was breathtaking to say the least. Kelly Osbourne entered the dance floor rough around the edges. She exited with a hidden beauty revealed. You couldn’t help but see the transformation. She came alive as a woman, seeing things she’d never seen before about herself. The more she danced the more her confidence grew, the more people were drawn to her. At the end she said it was a "life changing experience".


It all started with trust. Each week there were new dances to learn, sometimes two. Each time she started out knowing absolutely nothing about what she was doing. She relied on her partner to teach her, guide her, take her where she needed to be.


It wasn’t always perfect, but she followed as best she could. Before you knew it she was dancing with poise and dignity. The journey invited her to see something about herself she had not known. She was indeed a lady. All she needed was one person to believe in her. One who would show her the way into the dance.


I’m struck each time I watch Dancing with the Stars. I absolutely love the metamorphosis of the dancers. I love where they start and where the end. They are out of their genre, out of their league. They are completely reliant on their partner. I love the picture it paints.


For you see, I believe Jesus is the Lord of the Dance. He loves to show us what is inside us. He loves to reveal who we are for those around us to see. It is after all His heart inside lived out.


The disciples followed Him and were transformed. There wasn’t much required. Just go where I go, see what I see, take it all in, and I will make you. As the disciples followed Jesus they were changed.


That’s what I saw in Kelly Osbourne as she danced. She followed her partner and she was changed. The journey of the dance revealed more of the woman hidden inside.


It’s what I see life to be. Jesus extends His hand to each of us inviting us into the dance of living as one who is loved. It doesn’t require anything, but trust. He is our One true partner, the one who believes in us. If we will follow He will make all things known.


He is the Lord of the dance. Transformation comes as we follow. Little by little the beauty of the inside emerges out of the ashes leaving them behind. It is then we will begin to see what He has always known. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.


“The King is enthralled with your beauty” Psalm 45:11

©copyrigted 2009 Julie L. Todd


16 comments:

Karen said... Reply to comment

Amen...Jesus is the Lord of the dance...the only Partner we will EVER need....

christy rose said... Reply to comment

OOOOHH! I like that "the Lord of the dance" That is so good! If we learn to trust Him and let Him lead, our lives can be a beautiful display outwardly, in the dance, of the work He accomplished inside of us the moment we had faith in His finished work on the cross.

Carmen said... Reply to comment

Very well written! I agree with your observations about Kelly Osbourne as well. It was quite a thing to watch actually.

Kimberly said... Reply to comment

Beautiful, Julie!

Anonymous said... Reply to comment

What a wonderful, inspiring post. I felt my spirit connect to the last two paragraphs, and I choked back tears. Thank you!

Angela Nazworth said... Reply to comment

Oh Julie...I did not watch the entire season, but this was so beautifully written and the analogy is right on...thank you.

Erin said... Reply to comment

I just bumped into your blog and I have to say...I really like it!! I am so thankful that He loves us enough to transform us.
Can't wait to read more from you!
Erin
http://my-alabaster-jar.blogspot.com/

Terra said... Reply to comment

I didn't see Kelly dance, but you explain it beautifully.
Following The Lord of the Dance can change us for the better.
Often He asks us to do what is difficult and it is so freeing to say yes.

Amy Lynne said... Reply to comment

What a beautiful metaphor...

God has given you a powerful anointing to draw women into the magnificent dance with Jesus!

May every dream God has for your life be fulfilled!

Tea with Tiffany said... Reply to comment

Thanks, Julie. Again this was powerful and beautiful.


God captivates me too when I watch partners dance. :) He's spoken deeply to me one time while I was at the YMCA on the treadmill watching figure skaters on TV as I walked. It was a similar message. And I was undone. Yep, in public again, moved by the Spirit, my Lord of our dance.

Dance on, friend. He has is leading you places. He is ready to reveal more as you step with me.

I love you,

Tiffany

Debra said... Reply to comment

Wow, that was lovely. I really enjoyed what you shared with Alece at "Grit and Glory" and thought I would drop by and have a read. Worth the trip!

Oh what a life, a beautiful life it is to dance with the Lord!

Gretchen said... Reply to comment

Jesus as the "Lord of the Dance". I love it. I didn't watch too much DWTS this year because I had some evening commitments, but usually, it's a fave. I know just what you mean about that transformation. May it be so in me each day.

Tim Harrison said... Reply to comment

That's a great picture, Julie. Its funny that as a man, I feel the need to do a good job in taking the lead in the dance with my wife and children, but I can't do that unless I'm allowing Him to lead me, surrendered.
Thanks sister.

Anonymous said... Reply to comment

I, too, watched Kelly's transformation. It was powerful, to say the least.

However, what I found touching was Louis' tears after their last dance. He has to be one of the most talented and patient dancers ever. He was so proud of her. I don't think he'll ever be the same.

Thank you for sharing what God revealed to you.

Andrea said... Reply to comment

Hello, Julie! I saw you on Karen's blog and could not resist saying, "Hello" to you.

I noticed you are from the North Georgia mountains. I live in Huntsville, Alabama, but my husband and I are both from Gainesville. And, we are very fond of our mountains!!!

It's very nice to "meet" you. Many blessings to you, dear woman of God.

Andrea

Crown of Beauty said... Reply to comment

I love this post. As I've said before I am not good at dancing, but in my heart I wish I could.

In heaven, this dream will be realized. Or who knows, sometime in the near future, right here on earth!

But I do love what you wrote. Jesus is the Lord of the Dance!

And He is teaching us the steps. All we need do is follow!

Love
Lidj