11. Lord of the dance…

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no-one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Jesus Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:8-10

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? …Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead…show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

James 2:14-18

When my husband bought me a tablet for my birthday I was very excited. It was small, light, and easy to carry in my handbag. But it had so much more to offer than carryability (nice word that!). It promised easy access to emails, internet, diary. There were apps and games including cryptic crosswords. However, if I just stuck it in my handbag and never used my new tablet, it would have no value for me and could not possibly fulfil its purpose.

I could tell all my friends about my new and shiny tool which could help me manage my life. I could even take it out and show them but unless I use it, show them how it works, it is useless.

God’s grace is much the same. It has been given to each one of us freely and has the power to change our lives. But it is what we do with that grace, how we grow the faith we have in the God who gave it and put it into practice, that will demonstrate it to the world and change ours.

I had a conversation with a work colleague who attended church every Sunday but had difficulty sharing their faith with others. They believed that faith was a personal thing just between them and God and their daily life didn’t reflect that faith in action. They didn’t allow God’s grace to permeate their life and shine so that it became a testimony to God in their life:

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

God has given us grace and faith not only to enable us to enter his kingdom but also to serve him out of that kingdom back into the world we live in. We are created for works planned for us by God before the world began. Grace gives us the fuel, the power to do these works willingly and obediently with true commitment and desire.

God is saying to us:

Get up and dance. You will never put my grace into action sitting on the edge watching the other dancers. Be part of the dance that is storming the world like a mighty hurricane bringing new and vital life to all in its path. I am the Lord of the dance, join me…

Dance then, wherever you may be;

I am the Lord of the dance, said he.

And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,

And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

(from Sydney Carter’s hymn, Lord of the Dance)

Prayer: Lord, it is so easy to watch whilst others dance with you. To believe that they are better than us at the dance, that we don’t have the skill or the grace to dance beautifully. Yet you have given each of us the grace and the faith to dance the unique dance you have set before us, your plan for our lives. You are standing before us with your hand out inviting us into the dance, help us to reach out our hand and take yours and join the dance.

Amen.

Action: Today, decide to take God’s hand and join him in his plan for you. Step into the dance boldly knowing he will lead you.

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