The path of uncompromising faith that leads to spiritual maturity and intimacy with our Beloved is full of surprises. Some are delightful, others, not so much. Our journey started with some much needed lessons in how to ballroom dance. Since our walk as believers is a dance of faith this made perfect sense. Our teacher, Boris, was a former South African ballroom dance champion who faithfully taught us what we needed to know. God would work through Boris to anchor two important points about faith and maturity we would need going forward.
The following is two excerpts from our book, Wilderness – How to Marry Jesus in 10 Years or Less
Emotional blocks and decision making in the dance of faith
Like a bagel, Boris had a crusty outside, but a soft center. Gently, he taught about emotional blocks. We were perfectly capable of dancing, but these emotional blocks hindered us. My emotional block was fear of criticism. Once Boris taught me how to face that, I could continue dancing. This was difficult at first. I had to unlearn my childish responses and mature. In like manner, fear is a brick wall to faith. To overcome, we must face those obstacles and keep moving. This isn’t easy, but necessary.
The next lesson was ‘make a decision’. Dancing into a corner, unsure of my next move, Boris would yell ‘MAKE A DECISION!’. This was his signature. In ballroom dance you can’t stop moving or you will cause chaos on the floor. This is a cardinal rule you cannot violate; at least in front of Boris. I wanted to not make a mistake; but Boris didn’t care. He just wanted me to make a decision and keep moving. That lesson stayed with me. Growing up requires us to ‘make decisions’; not to delay or vacillate. God keeps moving, and we need to keep moving with Him.
Practicing the dance of faith
Every ballroom dance lesson was tough. We worked and worked hard. For many hours. Slowly we improved and gained confidence. Boris, however, was tricking us. The Arthur Murray dance curriculum has three major levels; Gold, Silver, and Bronze. In each major level, are 4 minor levels. For each minor level, the student must master certain basic dance steps to pass. Ballroom dance steps are repeatedly practiced until they become ingrained in muscle memory. So our wonderful dance teacher was, without our knowledge, sneaking in moves from Bronze level 3; when we were at Bronze level 1. Boris gave us no quarter. When we didn’t get the steps just right, he let us have it. He made these difficult lessons, beyond our level, even tougher. Yet we still progressed and even excelled.
Those two lessons, facing emotional blocks and learning how to make decisions were critical to learning the dance of faith, but the next lesson would bring us to our knees. When it came time for our test we would find out if we had really learned what the Holy Spirit wanted us to know.
Testing the dance of faith
The three judges sat at a little table to observe the students. These were world class judges who judge major ballroom dance competitions across the globe. The dance music started, and I led off on the wrong foot! We skipped a beat and then kept dancing. I couldn’t stop. Wanda and I made a few more mistakes before the song finished, and then the exam was over. Crestfallen by our errors, we packed our dance gear and left.
The afternoon was sunny and bright, but our hearts were dark and stormy. Emotionally spent from the dance test, we were tender and raw. The tears came in waves. Embarrassment of our perceived failure, bore down heavily on our feelings. With time, our grief turned to cynicism. In our limited understanding, we couldn’t believe they would pass us.
The result
The day came for our next lesson. Somehow we mustered up the courage to return, regardless of the outcome. In the privacy of his office, Boris revealed the news we had passed. Incredulous, we challenged the results. Boris left to bring back the studio owner. The owner, Will, quietly explained how they adjudicate ballroom dance. At Arthur Murray, for each level, there are certain basic steps the student must demonstrate. The judges look for those steps; and nothing else. By forcing us to focus on much harder steps, Boris had secretly caused us to excel in the basics. As a team, we had passed with flying colors! This was astounding. This slight trickery by our much beloved dance teacher, over prepared us for the test ahead. We were a puddle after this revelation.
In the wilderness are mountains far taller than we think we can climb. God beckons us to keep moving and make decisions; even if we make mistakes. He purposely overprepares us, during our training, so we can handle what comes. By deliberately hardening us to difficulty, uncompromising faith becomes a part of our nature.
Excerpts from Wilderness – How to Marry Jesus in 10 Years or Less.
Trusting the One who holds us
Today God will lead you in the dance of faith. His moves are perfect and His hand steady. He is the frame and you are the picture. As He leads you into uncompromising faith rest in the knowledge that He has you firmly in His warm embrace. Let go of emotional blocks, make bold decisions for faith and trust the One who is holding you!
Blessings,
Homer and Wanda
I love this post! I can’t dance a single step either ?
I am so glad Shellie. Thank you. The funny thing is you don’t have to know much in order to dance. What we found out is it the man who leads. If he knows how to do that well the woman will follow easily. It is actually amazing to watch an expert take a neophyte dancer and make her look like a precious gem on the floor. I’m crying now. It reminds me so much of how Jesus knows all the steps, we just need to rest in His lead and He will make us look beautiful. Enjoy His lead Shellie. Be blessed and bright this day as you follow your Beloved!
Such a lovely, poignant response to Shellie, Homer!
Thank you Nancy. So kind of you to visit us and comment. Thank you very much!
A delightful, encouraging post, Homer. Praise God we can implicitly trust the One who holds us!
Amen!