Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
Jackie is a dog whisperer. She calls herself a dog trainer, but if you watch this four-foot, eleven-inch woman handle a 150-pound dog, you’d know what I mean. I wanted Jackie to help me train our five-month-old puppy, but I couldn’t find her. I’d searched my emails and phoned where she used to work before running out of leads.
I do interior design work on the side. Every time I planned to visit the seamstress, something interfered. On a whim, I called another gal. On the way to her workroom, I again thought of Jackie. Imagine my curiosity when I spied a simple sign next door to the new seamstress’s shop that read “Dog Trainer.” A smaller sign in the window read “Jackie’s Dog Training.” Could it be the Jackie?
It was.
I marvel at my fruitless attempts to find her, my thwarted efforts to enroll in other dog training classes, and the nudges to go to a different seamstress. God had not let my yearning for Jackie die. It took a while, but at the right time, he connected our paths.
The mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility dances through Scripture. “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9 NASB). In ballroom dance, each dancer is responsible for his or her own steps. The man’s role is to lead the dance. The woman’s role is to follow. A subtle touch is enough to direct an experienced dancer. A new dancer might need a quick pull to avoid colliding with another couple on the dance floor.
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Walking with God is a divine waltz of faith. It’s not our job to lead. Our role is to stay aware of our partner and follow His lead.
God uses our needs to direct our steps. I was reminded of this when fifty robins descended upon my five holly trees and devoured the red berries.
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Matt. 6:26).
God supplied the berries, but hunger drove the birds to search for them.
Faith doesn’t mean idleness. Industry builds character and brings satisfaction. Able bodies that refuse to work sabotage their own character and happiness. Faith leads to action. When Ruth and Naomi needed food God used this ordinary need to accomplish His divine plan (Ruth 2).
Let the Dance Begin
Boaz allowed the poor to glean his fields. He was also related to Elimelech (Naomi’s husband). This made him a candidate to marry Ruth and buy Elimelech’s land from Naomi. But how would this wealthy landowner and poor widow ever meet?
I love how the New American Standard version puts it: Ruth “happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech” (Ruth 2:3). And Boaz just happened to be captivated by her!
Boaz strode into his field with a heart bigger than Texas. Imagine working for a boss who blessed you when he checked on your progress.
Ruth probably didn’t sense God’s invisible lead that day. If she felt drawn to Boaz’s field, she couldn’t have imagined what awaited her. God used something as ordinary as hunger to direct Ruth to Boaz. He rewarded Boaz’s generosity to the poor with an introduction to Ruth. Simple needs, a gentle prompting, and voilà—the hand of God.
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*An excerpt from Little Women, Big God.
What a wonderful word for me this morning, as I find myself in a time of waiting for God’s leading on an important subject. May God help me be like the dancer, and keep moving and ever attentive to His subtle nudges leading me to the right direction. Powerful visual!
I’m so blessed to have you as one of our Recharge writers, my friend! Have a wonderful week!
Patricia
Patricia, it my honor to be part of your team!
Debbie, I love the topic here; too often I waste precious time running to and fro seeking answers and help instead of following God’s lead. It truly is a divine dance of beauty when I keep my place and allow God to lead. Thank you!!
Oh Donna, I hear you! We seek in faith trusting Him to open the right door in the right time. The admonition “Be still and know God,” quiets me when I feel my time is running out to make a decision.
So often things just “happen” to work out like that, and it makes me feel so seen and loved to see how God arranges circumstances. That and His Word help me when it seems like nothing is happening, or something happened that seemed negative. He’s still working behind the scenes even when we wonder and chafe at the circumstances.
Barbara, those little God winks, as someone has called them, thrill me too!
Debbie, beautiful post. This spoke to my heart >> “Faith doesn’t mean idleness. Industry builds character and brings satisfaction. Able bodies that refuse to work sabotage their own character and happiness. Faith leads to action. ” He truly does reward our labor – in His time, in His way.
Joanne, the difference between faith-filled work and striving sometimes eludes me. God honors our work, not our striving.
It’s likely that we will spend a lifetime pondering this intricate dance. So glad you found Jackie. She sounds amazing.
She is, Michele. Made me feel foolish when my stubborn puppy melted when she held the leash!
“Voila! The hand of God!” I love this, Debbie. So cool when he reveals his hand, and I’m so grateful we only have to do our thing. He is faithful to do His!
Me too, Bethany!
I was already planning to share my post, a review of “Trumped by Sovereignity” even before I saw the title of your post. It must be an important concept!
Yes! How fun, Aletha!
I LOVE the analogy of a divine waltz of faith. Such a great way to explain.
Lauren, my husband and I took ballroom dance lessons one time. I found I wanted to lead. I’d grown up taking ballet and picked up the steps quicker than my ball playing husband. It was hard letting him lead. I guess the lesson resonated with me.
Learning to follow His lead is our most important job!
Well said, Jerralea!
Debbie, this is a lovely piece. I enjoyed how you describe our responsibility and God’s sovereignty to a dance. In all the ways we see God, we must include that he is sovereign.