If You Stumble Make It Part of the Dance

Recently I saw the phrase, “If you stumble, make it part of the dance.” This is a concept I can relate to! I don’t always have the surest footing, never have. My desire to get somewhere quickly often supersedes the ability of my feet to keep up. Invariably, I stumble and perform an elaborate dance while trying to restore my balance. Sometimes I regain my footing, but often I fall. It’s embarrassing, for sure, but I try to laugh at myself.

I’m always grateful to have a friend walk with me. At the first sign of a stumble, a hand typically reaches out to steady me to prevent potential injury from a fall. On those occasions when I actually hit the ground, the welcome hand of a friend extends to help me up.

My Christian walk is much the same. I plow ahead to do something I feel is important without checking for clear direction and obstacles that cause me to stumble and fall. I tend to make excuses for my stumbles and try, in vain, to find someone else to blame.

There are also those occasions when I deliberately take a path that is perilous for me. I am fully aware of the obstacles and pitfalls, yet I return to these familiar places more often than I like to admit. My disobedience always results in a fall.

I am thankful that my hope and trust is in Jesus. When I walk with Him, He leads me in paths of righteousness. When I become distracted and veer from the path, He gently takes me by the hand and guides me back to solid ground. In times of my rebellion, He reaches into the darkness I have entered and draws me back to His embrace. Jesus leads me in the dance and each step is carefully choreographed. He holds my hand and restores my balance as I dance with my beloved savior.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. – Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT)