With Glittering Eyes: The Summer of Femininity: G.u.i.dance.

This summer, we have had a repeat event for our teens called "The Summer of Femininity". For the guys, it is (appropriately) titled the "Summer of Masculinity". The intention of these events has been to encourage the teens to embrace their God given femininity or masculinity. To become the women and men God has called them to be. Free, honorable, gentle, loving, self-sacrificing, trusting, humble... (to name a few). Each event couples a discussion about one of those traits with learning a skill. The first week, the guys learned how to shave. The girls learned how to do hair, make up, and walk in high heals (Heal-toe-heal-toe-heal-toe) and we talked about inner beauty. The second week, we learned how to have a good conversation and mailed letters of encouragement and thanks. This week, we learned how to swing dance and talked about trust and how to trust God.

It was an awesome night that ended with swing dancing at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids. Here are my notes from the discussion we had following the dancing portion of the night:

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Today we're talking about trust. Psalm 9:10 says "Those who know your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those that seek you."

Do you seek God?

As women, it's important that we embrace the idea of trusting. Trusting others. Trusting ourselves. Most importantly, trusting God.

Trust can be a difficult thing to do. It's someting that I struggle with. Does God have my best interest in mind? Don't I know what's best? What if what I want to do with my life isn't what God wants me to do? Does He really know what's best?

Does anyone here struggle with trust at all? In what areas do you struggle with it?

One of the reasons I love dancing is because it gives a clear picture of trusting God. When we were dancing earlier, did you notice it was difficult if you both were trying to lead at the same time? You wanted to go one way, he wanted you to go another way. Maybe you guessed what your partner was going to do and you were wrong, sending you offbeat. It became awkward and confusing, right?

That's because in most relationships, especially a dancing relationship, someone has to lead. Could you imagine having a job and having more than one boss? More than one person telling you what to do or how to do it? It would be inconsistent, a mess. In dancing, there has to be a leader. And that leader has to be a strong one. A sure one. A steady one.

If you are a follower of Christ, you have told God that He is your leader. That's a difficult thing to do... to trust that he's not going to fail you, or send you in the wrong direction, or drop you or "let you down" when you want to do something really exciting. In reality, He is the ultimate leader. He cares more about your future and your life than you do. Trusting in Him is the key to living a full life. It won't necessarily be a life without problems or bad things happening, but it will be a life that glorifies Him.

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purposes." So even when bad things happen, God can redeem those things things and can work them out for good.

Letting go of control of your life is a difficult thing to do, but when you do, you can live a life of complete freedom.

Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

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I ended by sharing the following poem and video with the girls:

"Dancing with God"
By: Elaine L. Guercio

When I meditated on the word "Guidance",
I kept seeing the "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music and everything is quite
uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to
flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing
lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word "guidance".
When I saw "G" I thought of Go, followed by "U" and "I".
"God", "U," and "I" "dance".
God, you and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance
about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's Blessings and mercies be upon you on
this day and every day.
May you abide in God as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead you and guide you through each season of your life.