1 Peter 1 and 2 have been redirecting me this week. It’s so easy to not think clearly and exercise self-control and to fall into the trap of pretending to be good. Peter says that of all things it is the thought life that defiles us and to get rid of all evil behavior, deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. In regards to this, I spoke with a good friend of mine this week about how many Christians are “dancing” to whatever beat is thrown at them. The “religious dance”, the “all is well dance”, the “image dance”, the “financial dance”, the “party dance, the “popular dance, ”the “idle dance”, it’s endless. Then I heard a man speaking about how if we are in Christ we have license to rebel against anything that is not the will of God. I was reminded and encouraged because those who know Jesus have true freedom to stand still when the world’s dance or someone else’s dance is going on. As awkward as it might be it is ok to stand still!! I’m laughing right now because I’m envisioning the dance I do. You know the dance – just the little swaying back and forth with a snap of the finger and maybe a quick turn here and there. Ha! I’m asking for the character to stop dancing when I need to for the Lord simply to please and worship him. I’m also asking for the character to dance the “Real Dance” for the same reason- to simply praise and worship him. The challenges and temptation to do our own dance are great and it is concerning because many who are in the faith are just doing their own funny thing. In some way or another we’re all doing it. I pray that we will show the Lord that we are willing to rebel against the noisy beat of our hearts and of this world to stand still with him no matter what happens. What’s AWESOME is that the Lord knows how and when to do the REAL DANCE without pretending to be good, and pretty soon we’ll all be moving to that truly good and eternal beat. We’ll be in the “Real Dance.” I pray for all of us that we will begin that Real Dance with Jesus and each other now, but to always be ready to stand still with him even when it gets really awkward or lonely.