Dancing In The Rain- Feeling Joyful During The Storms

What is the secret to feeling joyful during one of life’s many storms? Tina believes that the answer is threefold- who is leading, our source of strength, and our choice of steps.

Feeling Joyful During The Storms Of Life

Did you ever see the most popular musical film in 1952 , “Singing in the Rain”?  Actor/singer/dancer Gene Kelly did just that.. he was singin’ and dancin’ in the rain.  I just love the great big smile on his face and in his heart. This scene begs me to ask:  How can I have such joy, even during the storms of my life?

I believe the answer is three-fold. First, it depends on who is leading, second on what our source of strength is and third, our choice of steps.

1. Who is leading?

In dancin’, typically the male or physically stronger partner leads. In my everyday life, who is leading me? Am I or my partner – God?

A few years ago I went through a month of crisis where I regularly – on a moment-by-moment basis – asked God to lead me. I was surprised by the outcomes. I often asked:  “Where did that come from?” and then quickly realized the answer: “Ahh.. God.” I definitely could see Him working through me. All I needed to do was be willing to follow His lead – as He always is the stronger partner.

2. Our source of strength?

Paul the apostle, went through some awful times including imprisonment, yet he said, “in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Cor. 1:9).  He ended up relying on God more.

If I’m brutally honest with myself, my default is that I rely often on my own strength.  However, during that month of crisis, I knew I wasn’t strong enough to handle all that was going on in my life. What a relief it was when I gave up my burdens and let God fill me with His strength and joy.

Who is our ultimate source of strength? God?

3. Choice of steps

With each step I have a choice: to follow or not to follow God’s will.

With each choice there is a result: to conquer or to wander.

This is clearly displayed by the two generations of Israelites. The first generation I`m referring to, was led by Moses and the next generation – their children – was led by Joshua. (Who by the way, were both great leaders.)

God rescued Moses’ generation of Israelites (the first) from slavery in Egypt. He not only rescued them, but He showed them never-before seen miracles and promised them their own land – “a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Exodus 3:8a)

Let’s put ourselves in an Israelite’s dancin’ shoes. We are with our family, neighbours and thousands of other Israelites, finally staring at this Promised Land. Spies arrive with the news of their exploration:  “It is a good land that the LORD our God is giving us.“  Yes! A positive report.

However, we then hear the response of the majority of the spies in Deuteronomy 1: “The people are stronger and taller than we are… the cities are large, with walls up to the sky… We even saw the Anakites there.”

The Result Of Their Choice

The result: They didn’t want to go into the land, and therefore they disobeyed God’s command. This first generation of Israelites focused on the obstacles and I must say, they also exaggerated the perceived problem – ‘walls up to the skies?’

However, God encouraged them and said: “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you.”

This did not change their minds and the result of their choice of steps: by choosing to not trust in God, they wandered for another 40 years and those adults expired in the desert.

In contrast, let’s look at their children’s response when they grew up. They stare at the Promised Land. Then God says: “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” God then closes with a similar statement He made to their parents: “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:1-10,16-18)

This second generation of Israelites responded: “Whatever You (God) have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”

Making The Right Choice

The result of their choice of steps allowed them not only to enter the Promised Land but to conquer it through God.  Just look how God destroyed those sky-high walls!

Right now, we are on route to or staring at our Promised Land.  God’s hand is extended… He is ready to lead. Will we follow His lead?

Is He our source of strength?

Will we choose steps of grumbling, focussing on those giant challenges or disobeying God’s will? Or will we “be strong and courageous, ” “trust that there is a purpose,” and “obey God ”?  Will our choice of steps lead us out of or into our Promised Land?

Here’s to dancin’ in the rain!

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