The Dance

The perfect song, the one he's been waiting for, the one that feels just right begins to play. He knows who she is; she is no compromise. Her heart is incredible; she is fiercely beautiful. The risk is great - he knows neither will she accept a compromise. There's no easy way; she won't allow it; and neither would he. He has and does not want any protection, there is no facade to hide behind. He opens his heart wide; he is wholly exposed, fully preparing to be hurt, to be rejected - and she is so worth it all!

The story goes two ways. But for this man, his expression of his strength continues either path. It does not depend on her. His life's an unfinished canvas or a partially performed dance. He could paint it like everyone else. He could take the path that requires nothing of him, a path that guarantees his safety, guarantees he won't be hurt, guarantees he won't stand out and be criticized or rejected. But he will not settle, he will live life to the fullest. Taking every opportunity. His lead will be confusing at times, he'll try something new and often fail. The dance won't always be perfect. He will make mistakes. But he will not hide. He will not cower. And in the end, it won't be scripted - and it will be wonderful, fully displaying his strength...and her incredible beauty.

Isn't that life? You get up in the morning and begin to study for your hardest exam. And your score probably won't be perfect. Studying will be a struggle. You might even fail. Later on that day it's still 10 degrees and you put on your shoes for a 7 mile run, preparing to dodge cars and plow through snow, salt, and dirt. And that evening, you put on your cold, stiff ski boots and prepare to race against 20 others on the hill. The temperature's dropped to 0 degrees and the wind's gusting to 40 miles per hour, ready to drive sharp, cold snow onto your face. But would you really want anything else? The euphoria of making it through the struggle, the wonderful feeling of sore muscles, or the awesomeness of being outdoors in nature's fierceness are so worth the effort!

And then you invest in others. You expose yourself; you share your desires, your hurts, and your joys. You trust, you depend, and you care deeply. And at the very least you will simply be hurt, cut up. Or maybe even abandoned or betrayed. At times you feel like you have no strength left, there’s no reason to continue, but you must keep going, you must continue. Your enemy drives arrows where he knows they will hurt the most. He is cunning, he is effective.

And possibly even worse, you in turn do the same thing. You forget or don’t even realize how much what you do tears someone else apart. And with God you push him away, mock him, spit on him. And yet he comes back to love you, to heal you, to whisper in your ear, to encourage, to hold you in his arms. And then you once again find another lover.

Isn't he – the dancer – a picture, however faint, of Christ? God knows from the dawn of creation all of history. He creates male and female in the image of Him. Two creatures so amazing, so beautiful, so intricate. So perfect; a colorful shadow of Him. They are the pinnacle, the best of his creation. And he places them in a universe so amazing. The stars and storms reflect his incredible awesomeness. And the trees, streams, mountains reflect his incredible beauty. And his living creation – an elk, a wolf, a cardinal - his incredible creativity. And he desires a relationship so amazing, so deep, so breathtaking with them. He does all this knowing we will turn against him, knowing we will hurt him. He will send his Son as our Savior. And some of us will accept him. And even still, we will turn from Him. We will hurt him time and time again. But he continues to pursue us, time and time again with a love that has no end.

He - the dancer - is either fully exposed as he boldly leads by example or truly resting. Nothing in between. When he's beaten, when he's lost his strength, he once again will for a time rest even if it only be for minutes. He uses nothing as a crutch, he confides in no one but his creator. He gives all of his heart to Him for there is no true hurt in the intimacy he has with Christ. Only perfect good, true love and a closeness that fulfills his every desire. He cries, he bleeds, and is held and healed by his creator. And then once again, it is time to dance.