By Joyell Nevins – CFFM Blogger
The tango is a dance of elongated steps, sudden turns, and constant movement. It requires grace, communication, and intention.
And for me, a lot of stops, starts, and nervous laughter!
From the ‘Montevideo Tango’ festival in Uruguay. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia user Coquimbo58.
When I would trip or become confused, our instructor told me the first step is to always “check your connection.” If I am holding onto my partner with the right amount of pressure and letting him lead me, the steps will follow.
Follow Your Leader
The same holds true for the Lord, our ultimate partner in the dance of life. When we are nervous, anxious, or stumbling, check your connection.
“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” 1 Chronicles 16:11 NKJV
This exhortation is from a psalm of David after the ark of God was put in a place of honor again following several battles. David understood the importance of his connection with the Shepherd.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV
The Passion version of that section of Scripture paints a beautiful picture of this deep connection between us and our Father.
“He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where He restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness, so that I can bring honor to His name.” Psalm 23:1-3 TPT
In the tango, and many other partner dances and sports, the connection only works if the follower trusts that the leader will respond in kind. That the leader knows the steps and is willing to guide the partner with grace and respect to their final destination.
We can always trust that the Lord will respond to us in kind, as well. God promises His kids that when we submit to Him, He will draw us even closer.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” James 4:7-8 NKJV
The New American Standard translation of that verse reads “Come close to God and He will come close to you.”
Pure Delight
Have you ever watched a couple who love each other dance together? Their adoration radiates off of them in that close setting.
God promises throughout His Word that He loves us and cares for us. And in this dance of life, not only does He know the choreography and destination, He also takes joy in connecting with us.
“The LORD your God among you is powerful – he will save and he will take joyful delight in you. In his love he will renew you with his love [other translations note that He calms us and gives us new life]; he will celebrate with singing because of you.” Zephaniah 3:17 ISV
God loves, adores, and leads us. The connection with the Father can restore our soul and calm our fears.
Perfect Peace
In Isaiah, the Lord promises us that we can always walk in perfect peace, regardless of the circumstances – as long as we stay focused on Him.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV
That word “stayed” is the Hebrew word samak. It carries the idea of support, sustaining, and leaning upon or propping up.
When we are confused, anxious, or wondering, the Lord is who keeps us up. It is He who holds us. We can follow His lead and move with joy and peace.
When our connection is right with God, we can keep dancing through life.