2. Set apart…

You are holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.

Leviticus 20:26

This is the voice of the Lord to me: “Anita, I have set you apart. You will not march to the same drum as others. You will dance with me”

These are the words I heard God speak to me as I embarked on this journey of intimacy with him. Couples who dance well together, who win competitions, know each other. They become as one on the dance floor, knowing what each is going to do next. There is an amazing symmetry. They love to be in each other’s company doing the dance. They are happy, fulfilled in the achievement of the dance. Their desire is to dance their very best together. Their concern is to ensure that they do not shine as individuals but as a couple united in the dance.

In contrast, I can see a picture of hundreds and hundreds of people marching to the band. There is conformity and a spirit of bondage. They have lost the desire to break free, to be different, they just keep on marching because that is what they do. That is what they are expected to do.

Suddenly a beautiful dressed bright and happy couple dance by. They are light on their feet. Their dance is a breath of fresh air, breaking through the staleness of the march. There is beauty, there is grace, there is freshness in their dance. This is what Jesus desires for me and for you. He is offering today a chance to break out of the mould and dance a new and invigorating dance in his arms.

Prayer: Lord, teach me your dance, help me to know how to dance with you. I desire to be your dance partner set aside only for you. My whole purpose is to dance well with you. The work you have for me will flow from the dance.

And I heard the Lord say to me:

“Anita, you must dance with me first and then the rest will come. Come into my arms, let me take the lead and we will dance together through time and space.”

Oh, Lamb of God, I come…

Amen

Action: Today take out your diary (phone, tablet, paper version, calendar –  whatever you use on a daily basis) and set apart two hours of your time in the next week to spend in the arms of Jesus. No other agenda than to just be with him, let him take the lead around the dance floor.  Then keep your date with Jesus and write down what you hear him say to you.

Journal your thoughts…