Quiet Prayer 4 (The Dance) 01/30/25
As I ponder the new year, I am drawn towards the idea of change. A whole new beginning. I oftentimes consider new resolutions, new concepts and ideas that foster a more holistic approach to life–its meaning and challenges. With that said, I’ve given considerable thought about “gratitude” and where my focus should be this year 2025. While re-reading my “Gratitude Notes” of the past year, it occurred to me that it’s time for a shift in my thinking. By this, I mean literally demonstrating my gratefulness to God by wanting more of Him through His revealed Word. God is so great, so kind, so loving that He and He alone wants to reveal more of Himself to me and you. And this is my mantra for 2025 to [focus] “Be still and see the salvation of the Lord” as I see God reveal Himself in me and through me.
Hence, I’ve begun writing my “Gratitude Notes” on three aspects I know are true about God. One, I know that God is a finisher. By that I mean, it’s time for me to live in Philippians 1:6 … “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you (me) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The time is now and I must be willing to cooperate with God. I must be willing to walk step by step with Him in good times and bad times.
Two, God never fails and three, He can be trusted no matter the circumstances. Which means you and I can find strength to keep moving forward even when past disappointments make us question everything. I used to expect certain outcomes from my prayers, hoping people and events would align themselves with my wishes. When they didn’t, I realized I was judging God through my own hurt and unbiblical expectations. I didn’t know God’s word on certain subjects, so I just called out prayers to God in my pain hoping He would answer them. As an unbeliever brought up in a Christian home, I saw and heard prayers, but personally I had no relationship with God. Nonetheless, I expected God to do what I asked in my desperation even if the prayer was for another women’s husband because I felt I loved him. I know for sure that was a lie from the pit of hell. But when I became a believer, I still wanted to manipulate the Word of God to have my own way for my own glory. For example—say to the mountain, “move and it moved, or to raise the dead,” so that folks would look at me and not God. During this season of my life, it felt like being shipwrecked in a not-so-quiet storm, tossed to and from as the waves were beating against my face. I was caught in between two emotions, feeling love for God, but still wanting my way. I was longing to step into my true authentically self even though I didn’t know who that was. Then and now, I believed one of my saving graces during this time, is that I loved the Word of God. I knew I needed to memorize scripture by heart. And I did just that—memorization was key.
I began to use this skill of reciting scripture in my life situations and found out it worked. It is truly a sword for the battles I fight in my day-to-day challenges as I walk with God. And as I grew in trusting His guidance, it’s like He’s my dance partner, and I’m learning to trust Him to lead the way while on the dance floor of life. My hand is in His hand and suddenly my eyes are closed as He leads, guides, and twirls me on His dance floor. I’m no longer alone, afraid or unsure. He’s got me! Now my eyes are wide open and I say to myself, “okay Lord, not my will but Yours be done.” It’s all about TRUSTING YOU!
Please note these [dance] lessons weren’t easy for me. I started off following God in my ignorance as if I were dancing the Cha-cha-cha. It requires a pretty fast-pace and sometimes you move forward and at other times you move backwards. You are twirling your body with one foot crossing over the next. It’s wonderful to watch, and it fun, exciting and it’s a great way to get the body moving; and its great exercise. Your partner can go one way, and you the other. Sometimes you can even end up with a different partner. However, now that I’ve developed a trust in who my partner is and that He is always the leader, I feel more like we are dancing the waltz. He has my hand in His while guiding me, and I now have a greater trust in Him. In addition, now I’m open to following His directions. The tune in my head is humming 1234, 1234 and even when I stumble, I won’t panic because I know He’s got me in His arms. Obedience is becoming easier solely because I am developing a relationship of trusting Him. In [our] daily quiet time when He says turn to the right, I turn with no hesitation. If He says pause, I do exactly that at the exact time He tells me. It is total trust and acceptance on trusting God at his Word to lead the way even when I don’t know the outcome.
God’s revelation to me in this new season is to [focus] on Him, [trust] in Him and [obey] Him in season and out of season. Also, He is reminding me to follow His instructions—you are to paint Mason Jars and called them “Gratitude Jars” and you are to write notes of “Gratitude to Me.” I can hear HIS RHYTHM in my head 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4….I AM with you always as I use you Linda for my purpose and plan. Now DANCE WITH ME!
To be continued….
