Dancing with Jesus
“The humble will eat and be satisfied, those who seek the Lord will praise him.” Psalm 22:26a CSB
Hey friend!
Earlier in the week, I shared a story that I had heard at a writer’s conference from a lady named Alicia and how she “caught fire” for Jesus at church camp when she was a teenager. Alicia had walked in on a lone kitchen worker who was having a praise party with Jesus. It was a moment that changed Alicia’s life and she hasn’t been the same since. You can read the blog post here.
As I mentioned in that post, I love it when I am inspired by other people and their pursuit of Jesus. Their devotion to Him challenges me and makes me want to pursue Jesus more and more. Alicia is one of those people who inspires me through her love and devotion for Jesus. She went on to share another story of an event that trickled down many years later from that encounter in the cafeteria with that lone kitchen worker.
Alicia’s daughter was in class at school one day and the teacher asked the students to write the answer to the question, “Who inspires you and why.” Alicia’s daughters’ response was, “My mom inspires me because she loves Jesus a whole bunch. She loves Him so much that sometimes she dances in the kitchen with Him.” When Alicia read what her daughter wrote, tears streamed down her face, and it touched her heart immensely.
Friend, when I heard Alicia tell this story, I sobbed my eyes out. I still cry over it. And it poses questions in my mind.
If my kids were asked that same question – would they be able to answer the same about me?
Have I pursued Jesus enough for my kids to be inspired and want what I have with Him?
Do they see me dancing with Jesus?
Can they tell from my actions that I love Jesus and that He is the most important to me?
I’m sure there are moments that my children might be able to see my love and devotion for Jesus, but has it been consistent enough to teach them how to pursue Him over anything else in life?
If I’m honest with myself, I can tell you I haven’t been consistent. If I’m honest with myself, I don’t think I could answer a confident “yes” to any of the questions above. And friend, that breaks my heart.
I’ve done a great job of telling my children how to have a relationship with Jesus but showing them how to pursue Jesus – not so much. And it has been a very long time since I have danced in the kitchen with Jesus. If our kids don’t see us pursuing Jesus with all our hearts, who are they going to see it from? How are they going to pursue Jesus relentlessly if they don’t have a role model to demonstrate it for them in real life?
We need to demonstrate it to them. And how do we demonstrate pursuing Jesus relentlessly?
We spend time with Him through His word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” When we spend time with God and open His Word, we are literally allowing the breath of God to blow into our lives. By allowing scripture to be planted into our heads, our hearts, and expressed throughout our lives, we are positioning ourselves to change the world around us, impacting our children first. The cool thing about it is we never know how far it will reach. Isn’t that amazing!! I get goosebumps just thinking about it and how it would trickle down to others!!
Friend, I want this kind of relentless pursuit for Jesus so much that it overflows to my children. I want the overflow to be so special that my children just can’t help but notice and want what I have.
One way we can begin relentlessly pursuing Jesus is by establishing a daily pause with Him. There is no prescription for how this “pause” needs to be. It doesn’t matter how we structure it – it only matters that we do it. Sometimes it might seem that the “pause” is wasted time, but we must remember, no moments with Jesus are ever wasted. Start out with 10 minutes in the morning before starting your day. Or possibly 15 minutes over your lunch break or maybe have some quiet time with Jesus sitting in the carpool line waiting to pick up your kiddos. No matter what your “pause” looks like – I encourage you to make it a priority.
And if it’s been a while since you’ve danced with Jesus – start right now.
I’m starting now! Care to join me?
Heavenly Father,
I thank you for women like Alicia that you have placed in my path to challenge me in my pursuit of you. I want my children to see me pursuing you with my whole heart and I long for it to trickle down to them. Help me to cultivate a daily pause so that I can make You a priority in my life. Give me a heart to desire you more. I want to dance with you -I love you. In Jesus Name, Amen
Truths to cling to:
“Happy are those who keep his decrees, and seek Him with all their heart.” Psalm 119:2 CSB
“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.” Proverbs 31:25 CSB
Reflection:
Can your children say that you inspire them because you love Jesus so much?
Do you demonstrate to them how to pursue Jesus relentlessly?
Share one thing you will do today to make pursuing Jesus a priority.