Dance Your Own Dance

Do you find yourself constantly comparing your giftsany combination of these things.  We know one is
and talents to others?  How about being afraid toenough to paralyze you and bring your dance to a
move out in your dreams and goals?  Stop wastingcomplete halt.
time and energy on what you don’t have andDance your own dance whether others can see you
start realizing what you do have. dancing or hear you singing your song.  It’s
How many times do you start out doing somethingokay.  You are not dancing for them anyway. 
with fresh vision, insight, and inspiration from God andMaybe no one even knows who you are. Dance,
others and then something happens?  Mid-waykeep dancing anyway.  Yes, sometimes you will not
through the plan, halfway down the road, smack dabhave a dance partner.  You may have to dance
in the thick of it you start looking at others to seealone versus dancing with a partner who is not
what they are doing.  You are not dancing your owndancing their own dance and singing their own song.
dance.Some of you may be saying, “I don’t even
Have you ever watched someone who is learning todance.” I say, hmm…maybe that’s the
dance, sing, or play a musical instrument for the firstmissing ingredient.  Who knows?  Just try it.  Pick
time?  What you will most likely observe is themup one foot, put it down, pick up the other, put it
staring at others who have been dancing, singing, ordown, and repeat until you stir, shake, and make
playing longer.  You know you are not dancing youryourself free.  When you commit to dancing your
own dance, when you find yourself comparing yourown dance, count up the cost.  You will miss it
gifts, talents, and abilities with others.occasionally, it requires stepping out into the
Let’s keep building on the analogy of theunknown.  Your feet may look like a wet duck at
beginning dancer.  The dancer not only looks but alsofirst, and you may take 4 steps backwards before
begins to integrate steps, moves, and strides ofyou can fox trot with grace.  The important thing is
“perceivably more seasoned” dancers into theirthat you get moving, take a step—even if it is
dance routine.  Although it really feels awkward anda baby step.  Before long you will be dancing your
unauthentic, coupled with the continual nudging of Hisown God-inspired dance and singing your own
Holy Spirit in another direction, they keep dancingGod-inspired song.  Remember, it may not look like
someone else’s dance. I may not see it, andthe dance everyone else is doing.
you may not see it.  At the same time deep downAs you begin to build momentum, don’t let
inside they know the truth--they are not dancingwhat others are doing or saying sway your feet in
their own dance.  How long have you been dancinganother direction.  Keep your focus on your feet
someone’s dance?  Perhaps so long youand the sound you are making.  It’s your
don’t even know it’s not your dance. unique sound and distinctive footsteps that will impact
I wonder what does your dance look like?those who God intends.
I’m also curious about what’s keepingI urge you to Dance and Sing for the King of
you from dancing your own dance, singing your ownKings…
life song. Maybe it is fear of failure, risk aversion,Joyously dancing for Him,
insecurity, covetousness, or lack of confidence inKaren M.
your abilities, gifts, and God-given vision.  It could be