The Dance ~ Follow the Choreography

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

We love to make our own plans, right? In fact, Proverbs 16:9 says our plans begin in our hearts. The King James Version says: “A man’s heart deviseth his way.” This sounds a little more sneaky and perhaps more convicting!

This picture was taken when I was 11-years-old and was auditioning for the leading role of Clara in the Nutcracker Ballet. This photograph is a constant reminder of a ginormous lesson I learned at a young age about following the steps of the choreographer. You see, the year before this audition, I did not make the role “of anything.” I had been in the Nutrcacker for two whole years prior to this photograph, so why would I dance my best for my third audition? After all, didn’t the choreographer know I was a mouse that got to “solo-circle” before exiting the stage? (This was the only way my Mom could identify which mouse I was.) I was on the up-and-up, but the plan I had devised in my heart brought me on the level of low-and-low.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9). God is the Master Choreographer. His job is to choreograph. Our job is to dance. His job is to establish our steps. Our job is to follow Him. And we follow Him by imitating His moves and by trusting in His choreography. But how do we do this? How do we dance? Ephesians 5:1 says to follow His example. We are His children, His dearly LOVED children of the Dance. We are “called to live a life of love, just as Jesus Christ loved us and gave Himself as a fragrant offering and sacrifice for God” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

When we dance our own steps and make up our own plans, we end up disappointed that we didn’t make the audition. When we TRUST in God’s steps, we step into the leading role. Watch for the Master Choreographer today. Learn His steps and lean into His leading. Each dance is unique. There is no dancer on earth with your gifts and your talents. Imitate His steps of love, patience, forgiveness, and self-control. Stop hiding behind others and step out into the leading role God created for you. Leave the choreography to Him. There is peace in trusting the ONE who knows the dance. Copy Him. He will establish your steps. Follow His lead, today.

Lord, thank You that YOU are the Master Choreographer, and we are the dearly loved children of the dance. We praise You because You already KNOW that dance before us! The pressure is off to make up the moves. We just have to TRUST in You and follow where You lead. Teach us to dance with passion the dance that You have given to each of us uniquely. Where we have pride in planning our own life, please remove it. It might mean not making the role in life that we wanted, but it will mean making the role in life that YOU wanted. We find peace in following You. Put the music in our hearts today to dance the steps YOU have established. Amen.