My limbo dance is just that, a dance in limbo. Lately my whole life seems in limbo. Debbie's health is in limbo; my job search for 36 months seems in terminal limbo; opportunities to minister seem in limbo. I get up and dutifully chant, "Limbo Limbo LimBO! Limbo Limbo LimBO! Limbo Limbo LimBO!"
The limbo is a dance all alone. And when you dance all alone you get sad. Have you ever felt like a giant 50 pound wet grey blanket is on your shoulders? Do you get to the point where you take a walk in your garden, see a piece of trash and not want to bend down to pick it up? Do you give up when trying to think of good things to do for your family? Do you panic when asked to make even a small, inconsequential decision about ANYTHING?
That's what dancing alone leads to. I know. I used to allow myself one of "these days" once a month. But they are coming more frequently. That's not a good thing. I've got dancing to do which requires me to provide for my family emotionally, physically and spiritually. But they come sometimes nonetheless.
The only way I have found to get out of these doldrums is to remember that I am not dancing alone. My dance partner is God. Granted, I'm pretty clumsy, but He is a wonderful dancer and very gracious. A good dance partner (I'm told) leads his partner with sublime nuances in pressure and nudges. My dance partner gives me those all the time.
He reminds me He is dancing with me even though I still get so worried about the dance steps that I forget His gentle nudges.
Here are some examples:
- A few days ago I woke up and pleaded with God to show me, "Why???" I flipped open the bible and found 2Cr 1:3 NKJV - Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- Then an hour later Debbie asks me to read another wonderful blog of our friend (who is fighting cancer-http://laurashooksblog.blogspot.com/) and together we read this Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:4-6 He comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. Sound familiar? It's the same Scripture twice within hours!
- Then a few hours later Debbie receives an invitation that very day to speak at an American Cancer Society event in front of 800 people to implement the very same Scripture so she can comfort others
I ask you, does this happen by blind luck? Does this happen by cold karma? Does this happen by good works? I shout, "NO!" to all of these. This is evidence that our dance partner is with us, leading us gently, almost imperceptibly. This is evidence that a loving, volitional God has said [Hbr 13:5 NKJV] - ... "I will never leave you nor forsake you.". This is evidence that even today, in any sadness, I am to Jam 1:2 NKJV - ...count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
So yes, sometimes I want to simply lay down and not get up. And yes, those days are wretched. But then I remember my dance partner and I get back up again. And when I adhere to His prescription, to remember that "Phl 4:8 NKJV - ...whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. I remember to let God direct my steps in His Dance.
Let God be YOUR dance partner. Let Him lead you. Let Him sweep you off your feet.
Jack
It always astonishes me when God orchestrates our life in the way you describe. I try to stay in tune with those occasions so I never take them for granted. Take care.
ReplyDeleteInspired! Wonderful! So, maybe you should look into authoring a book...?
ReplyDeleteHello, brother. And I mean that in the literal sense. I find myself looking forward to reading your daily offerings on your blog. We've moved too far apart in terms of our physical locations. My last trip south yielded less than 24 hours of visitation time with you, but thankfully a bunch more with the girls in your life. The blog entries somewhat makes up for the lack of face-to-face time, and I thank you for that. Please give my love to your loves...know we pray for you all every day. And, please pick up that piece of litter in your garden. I can't stand knowing its there. Love to you, Me.
ReplyDeleteI smiled at the "Limbo Limbo Limbo".... I get that. What I love is when God confirms His purpose in our lives no matter what is going on. When we cling to Him, He never fails to show us He is near. All we need to do is reach out. And like you say...sometimes even picking up a piece of trash in our garden feels like...'who cares'... but, just reaching out.. like in a parched desert reaching for a glass of water... God will give us water, peace, hope, fullness of Joy.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of God being our dance partner, with subtle nuances and nudges, totally leading and in control! He keeps bringing me back to the Philippians 4:8 verse too.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know that our church is praying for you guys - for Debbie, for you, for the girls, for the house situation, for the job situation, etc.
And I love the picture of your girls! They really are beautiful!
Love to you all!
p.s. Libby is one of my cousins! : )