Dancing with God
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Cheryl Johnson: This one is called Dancing with God. I'm so glad you're here with me as we explore the profound and beautiful journey of building a personal connection with God the Father and his son Jesus [00:01:00] Christ. Today I want to share a story and an analogy that will help us see our relationship with the divine in a new light, one that feels maybe a little more intimate, harmonious, and deeply spiritual.

So let me ask you, have you ever felt like your prayers were unanswered, or found yourself discouraged, overwhelmed by life's challenges? I know. Do you sometimes feel disconnected from God, longing for something deeper, something more personal? If so, you're not alone. These feelings are part of our human journey.

But they're also an invitation, a call to draw closer to the Savior and make Him the center of our lives. For more information visit www. FEMA. gov In Matthew 29, the Savior offers us this tender invitation. Come unto me, all ye who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.[00:02:00] 

For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. I have found this to be a very profound truth in my own life and something that I rely on heavily to get through some of the most challenging things that I've had to face. So let me step back. 

 When I was younger, I loved choreographed dancing.

I learned the steps, I practiced and performed. While beautiful, it was mostly a solo activity. My movements didn't depend on anyone else and there was no deep connection involved. This can be much like our spiritual lives when they become routine. Reading, praying, attending church. But without a heartfelt connection.

Years later, my husband and I began partner dance lessons. This type of dancing was something altogether different. It wasn't about memorizing steps alone, but about building connection, building [00:03:00] trust, being in tune with each other, and learning to follow very subtle cues. In partner dancing, there's always a leader and a follower.

In our spiritual lives, God is the leader and we're the followers. This may feel counterintuitive in a world that glorifies independence and self reliance, but true joy comes when we let Jesus lead. The leader in the dance isn't just commanding, they're creating, planning each step while ensuring their partner feels confident, 

(Emphasis) As followers, we're invited to trust, to let go of our resistance, and surrender to the subtle cues of the Holy Spirit.

This trust requires us to focus, listen, and avoid what we call back leading. That's a term in dance that describes when the follower tries to take control of the dance. In our lives, back leading happens when we impose our will, [00:04:00] try to control outcomes, or resist God's gentle direction. Let me share a story from my own journey.

A few years ago, I was taking lessons with an experienced teacher. I didn't know all the steps, but I trusted him to guide me. I learned three foundational rules that transformed the way I danced, and coincidentally, the way I followed God. First, I had to keep my focus on Him. My eyes fixed on the center of His body.

Spiritually, this means keeping our eyes on Christ and making Him the center of our thoughts and actions. Second, I need to relax and release resistance. In our spiritual dance, resistance blocks the flow of divine guidance. And third, I had to stop back leading. Instead of trying to control the direction of the dance, I had to trust my leader's plan.

This experience was life changing. [00:05:00] With practice, I realized I could navigate even unfamiliar dances with ease because I was fully attuned to my leader.

 In our lives, God sees the entire dance floor. He knows the obstacles we cannot see and the best path to help us avoid them. When we let Him lead, the dance becomes fluid and joyful, even when we don't know all the steps.

But this doesn't mean we don't have a role to play. Preparation is vital. 

As followers in this divine dance, we learn our basic steps through scripture study, prayer, and worship. These daily practices prepare us to receive the Spirit's guidance. But the true beauty of the dance comes when we step onto the dance floor with God, allowing Him to navigate, trusting His plan, and responding to His subtle cues.

So what happens when we stumble or resist? Well, like in any dance, there will be moments when we falter. Perhaps we misinterpret God's cues, or maybe we [00:06:00] try to take control. In those moments, we have a sacred opportunity to repent and realign our lives with His lead. God's grace ensures that no mistake is final.

He simply invites us to try again, patiently guiding us back into the rhythm of His love. President Russell M. Nelson said, In the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. This influence comes as we deepen our relationship with God, allowing the Holy Spirit to be our constant dance partner.

So why choose to dance with God? Because in this dance, we find peace amid chaos. Clarity amongst confusion, and joy amid hardship. God knows the full choreography of our lives, and when we follow his lead, we experience a harmony that transcends the challenges [00:07:00] of this world. As you go forward this week, I invite you to reflect on your own spiritual dance.

Are you letting God lead? Are you trusting his plan? Take time to focus on Christ. Release resistance and surrender your back leading tendencies. Practice the basics, study, pray, listen. And as you do, you'll find yourself gliding through life's uncertainties with divine confidence. Thank you for joining me today and may you feel the love and guidance of God in your life.

As you embrace the sacred dance. Until next time, keep your eyes on him, relax in his grace, And trust the beauty of the dance he's choreographed for you. May your steps always be in harmony with his. [00:08:00]