Let Me Lead

In Jr. High I was in a musical called "At the Hop". It was a production put on by my church. The show was set in the 1950's and of course swing dancing was a big part of it. I can still hear my partner's voice humming along to the one of the songs in my ear: "lleeeeetttt meeee leeeeaaadd!" I didn't like leeeettting him leeeeaaad mainly because he was type #3. Type #1 leads: In swing dancing this leader doesn't know what the heck he's doing and it's terrible. The three minute long song couldn't be longer. You wonder if the person might be deft. It truly is a painful experience. Every lead has been there. Every follow has been there. It's just part of dancing. Type #2 leads: This lead you have danced with before. You know what to expect and it's very comfortable. Each move he makes is predictable and has a flow to it that is easy to follow because essentially he always does the same thing. There's no challenge here which is comfortable and safe. It's also a lot of fun... but at a point (if you're anything like me) you get bored with it. Type #3 leads: These leaders are the worst. They know what they're doing. You've danced with them before, but you cannot help but not trust their judgement. Their style is just off and doesn't mesh well with you and how you like to dance. They sometimes go off and do their own thing without giving you any heads up. Why don't you just dance by yourself? Type #4 leads: This lead is amazing. He has been dancing for ages. He's beyond the point of developing his own 'style' (i.e. Type #3) and has embraced simply dancing to dance. It's easy to get caught up in 'doing the right steps' and not branch out. This lead knows all the right steps, but isn't confined to them. He's still operating within a 'package' of dance, but nothing is predictable. To dance with a type #4. you have to completely trust them and pay really close attention. No matter how many times you might have danced with them they always always will throw something new your way. That's just their style. Tonight I was able to follow 'Type #4s" and keep up. If you have ever been swing dancing you'll know what I'm talking about. I was literally proud of myself for keeping up if just a little. To keep up I had to let go of the 'box of rules' and JUST listen to the music and do..whatever. It's terrifying, but completely amazing at the same time. I am never as happy as when I'm dancing completely free of the predictable. I can't help but think that God's a type #4. He's completely unpredictable, but still works within the 'package' of 'I'm doing what's best for you' even if we don't know exactly what that means the structure is still there...it's just the moves and order that change constantly. To keep up it takes time and practice, but primarily it takes trusting our partner to not let us fall. I stumble all over myself a lot of the time, but if I just let go and literally listen to each note of the music... somehow it comes and you figure out the steps. That's sappy I guess, but it makes sense if you dance I think. Anyways, that's all. Sweet Dreams. Lllleeeetttt hiiimmmm leeead. -Shanna