Dancing with Holy Spirit

(This is a picture Holy Spirit gave me back in November of '08, and I'm publishing it here for a dear friend in California, who has taken up the adventure of learning to dance with Holy Spirit, amidst her fatigue from the responsibilities of 2 small children, a husband, household and just life in general! L - never forget you are his bride, and He is more gracious and committed to what you desire then we can ever imagine.)

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Being in relationship with Holy Spirit is like learning to ballroom dance and Holy Spirit is the best partner ever! He knows every song, every dance, every step and He loves to dance. And guess what? He wants to dance with you and me! He is ever ready, patiently waiting with hand extended toward us, waiting for us to simply put our hand in His. He will lift us up from our chair, no matter how afraid or insecure or uncertain we may be. He is always confident. He is God. He created you and me to be His partners. He is longing to dance with us.  He is never impatient or pushy. Even when we step on His toes, or resist His leading, or stumble or cause a scene, He is always smiling, gently comforting us and reassuring us that He will take care of everything.

Women have often told me that dancing with a partner who knows what they are doing is magical, because they can simply rely on their partner's ability to lead them into every little nuance of the dance. They find themselves dancing and moving in ways they never thought possible, and all because of their partner! That is what happens as we take Holy Spirit's hand. We find ourselves doing things in the kingdom of heaven we never thought possible. We learn that it's not about us, but all about Him. He does everything and we get to come along for the ride.

For those who like to be in control (LIKE ME!), surrendering to Holy Spirit's leading can be very challenging, so it's nice to know how patient He is, never condemning us or speaking gruffly to us. He is always, always, always sweet. Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you, and learn from me, for I am humble and gentle in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my load is light (Matthew 11:28-30)." 

As we moment by moment choose to take Holy Spirit's hand, we find more and more that dancing with Him really is LIGHT and EASY, that He really does do it all!  It's helpful to remember that He leads. He determines the pace. He determines the direction. He determines your position. He will never follow us, not because He's too proud, but because He loves us that much! He knows our peace and joy are dependent on our being led by Him, so to this end He is graciously committed...for our sake.

Lastly, listen close; this is one of the greatest lessons I am presently learning - OUR EXPECTATIONS OF OURSELVES DON'T MATTER! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...that's right! Our expectations of ourselves don't matter! If we're not running after the approval of others, we're often running after the approval of the one staring back at us in the mirror. Let me say this - ONLY GOD'S OPINION MATTERS. The Apostle Paul says, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any other person; indeed, I do not even judge myself...It is the Lord who judges me (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)."  And guess what? God's judgment is mercy and grace for those who call Him Father; He gently leads those who call Him Lord and Savior. He doesn't expect us to accomplish one thing apart from His grace moving in and through us. He knows it's all up to Him.  

All we do is put our hand in His and He does everything else.