Thursday, February 1, 2024 Dancing
Read: Luke 15:11-25 Dancing the Texas 2-Step
Now his elder son was in the field,
and as he came and approached the house,
he heard music and dancing.
(Luke 15:25, NRSVUE)
Striving toward our goals often resembles the Texas Two-Step. You know the rhythm – two steps forward in faith, one step back in fear; then two steps forward in prayer and with hope only to be followed by a step backwards from ever-changing circumstances or resistance.
Like the prodigal son’s story, the elder brother faced a setback triggered by his brother’s restoration. Despite living the obedient and blessed life with his father, he struggled with bitterness and jealousy at seeing his younger brother receive what he did not deserve – grace. The elder saw the dancing, but he refused to dance. He missed rejoicing in the grace around him.
Be still and Reflect: Where is God asking you to step forward with grace? How is God calling you to think differently about your attitudes and beliefs towards forgiveness, love, and mercy? What are possible consequences if, like the elder son, you refuse?
Pray: Father, I can see something of myself in that older son, and I don’t like it. Fill my heart afresh with your joy such that it crowds out my declarations of how deserving I am compared to others. Give me compassion for the younger brothers and sisters who long to come home. Help me to help them do so rather than defend my turf from disruption. Forgive me for my complaining and whining. And make me the responsible one who steps forward again sharing in Your joys, sharing Your heart of mercy. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Gloria