Dancing on My Own

Have you ever tried to dance with a partner before? It’s actually really difficult. Especially when both people want to take the lead. The relationship of a dance between two people is as symbiotic as we are. There is a flow. A give and take of movement, feeling, and conversation. When done well, the dance can move with such fluidity, the two can almost appear as one. One of the greatest of all time was Fred Astaire. He moved with such poise and grace. Each partner he danced with seemed to be in perfect harmony with one another. But it took hard work. Hours of practice. Daily routines and exercises that made each pairing as good as it was. The same holds true for the dance of living in Christian community. It’s hard work.

We all bring our own flavor and finesse to the community. We all have skills to be used. There is a give and take of movement, feeling and conversation. But it takes practice. It takes effort. And too often faith communities aren’t willing to put the effort in. We have come to a time and age where we think it should either come naturally or be handed to us with minimal effort. The moment things get hard, we turn and give up. Onto the next place where it will be different. But that’s not the picture we get from Scripture. The church of Acts 2 never gave up gathering with one another. And as the church began to grow and expand to new territories, the need to remain together became more critical. The author of Hebrews puts it this way:

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT).

For a community of believers to move with the grace and poise of Fred Astaire requires a lot of work. But that is the calling on our lives from Scripture. To push through the mess sometimes and continue to meet and encourage. The symbiotic relationships of a true Christian community will motivate us and push us to a deeper level of relationship with Jesus Christ rather than frustrate or deter us. The Cadence of Community is one that will encourage rather than tear down. It will move with a fluidity as a well practiced dance. One where there is only one leader. And his name is Jesus. Have you practiced the steps today or even this week? Have you been keeping in time with the music of your community of believers? If not, how can you change that rhythm this coming week?

We weren’t meant to dance through life on our own. We are called to be in the rhythm of community. Giving and taking. Keeping in step with one another and the Spirit. How’s your rhythm?