The Phil Files

The Lord’s prayer for today, May 3 (TNIV):

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

For or yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.’”

I didn’t grow up dancing. One of my nicknames in college was Trip. Except for a brief stint in band in the sixth grade as a drummer, I’ve led a pretty beat impaired life. But as I tried to get caught up in the message I shared today, one powerful image struck me. God has invited me to share His dance of grace. I don’t have to lead. I don’t have to worry about the beat. I don’t have to get uptight about the right steps.

He leads! He supplies the rhythm. He guides my steps.

Just like you, God is at work in me (Philippians 2:13; Romans 8:28). I can be His co-worker in His great work of redemption (1 Corinthians 3:9 & 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2). I am invited into the Divine Partnership between Creator and prized creation — the Great Purposer has a plan for me. The great Dancer has chosen me for His dance partner.

But bottom line, it is about bringing God glory … forever.

I think this is a dance that I can’t mess up if I take His hand and let Him lead, even on my most beat impaired days. Sure, I’m going to trip sometimes, but the music will still play and the Great Dancer will still take my hand if I will just get up and dance.

For Yours, O God, is the Kingdom and the power and the GLORY forever. I’ll follow your lead and trust you to hold me up when I stumble knowing I am knew at this dancing thing.