“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4
As I sit at my dressing room spot, stage makeup laid out, hairspray and bobby pins nearby, surrounded by young, aspiring ballerinas, I am reminded so vividly of what it felt like to be on the brink of adulthood as I listen to younger dancers ask questions, dream, and wonder how it will all work out. I remember those questions that lingered in my heart:
“What should I do with my life?”
“Where should I go to college?”
“Where should I dance?”
“Do I have what it takes to be a professional dancer?”
“But I want to be a mom one day….how will dancing and raising a family go together….or can it?”
“I wonder where my future husband is?”
“I wish my body looked more like the ideal ballet body….thin, toned…..I don’t know how to get that body…”
“Dancing is hard, maybe I’m not up for…”
“I have no clue who I want to be or where I want to go.”
“I want to dance for a ballet company, but I don’t know if I’m good enough.”
Lots and lots of questions face our hearts in that season of our lives. That edge of adulthood time when we are searching for direction and purpose and clarity is one of the most vulnerable and daunting places to be as a young woman. Our hearts feel uncertain, yet excited, anticipating what is to come.
If you are there today, know this….
You may not see the answers.
You may be unsure where to go, where to start, or which direction to go.
You may have dipped your toe into the professional world of ballet and quickly realized it’s not for you.
You may feel desperate to dip your toe in, but no opportunities are abounding.
You may feel like you are never going to find the man of your dreams.
You may feel unsure, uncertain, and nervous about what your next step should be.
I know those feelings. I know those heart-aches, tugs, and pulls. I also know that those same emotions can strike in other seasons of life….
I want to encourage your heart that those are the moments when your heart longs to press into your Maker. Your heart is aching for a divine touch. For divine direction. For divine love. Let the ache and uncertainty lead you to Him. He knows your heart because He made it, and He knows what you are designed to do. And as You press into Him, You will become the woman of God He created you to be little by little, step by step. And as You press in, each moment brims over with purpose because You know it all matters. You will find your purpose when your put your significance in Jesus. You will find your purpose when you remember that You belong to Him. And when your heart feels down, confused, unsure throughout the different seasons of your life, He will continue to pursue your heart. Choose to let your heart be pursued. Choose to ask God the questions of your heart. Choose to ask God for direction for your life. Choose to want His will above your best plans. The promise of His good plans and will for your heart, I promise, will be the adventure your heart longs for….the perfect fit for you. In Jesus, you have a forever refuge, a constant shield from the hard moments of life. And I pray today, that You take a step towards Him.
What does taking that step look like?
Something like…..grab a pen and a journal and scribble your thoughts down to God.
Open your Bible and search for verses that touch your soul and write them down.
Go to a bookstore and find the Christian non-fiction section and find a devotional or a book or a bible study that matches the longing of your heart or go to www.lifeway.com for lots of good reads.
Take some time to sit down with God each day. Pray to Him in your heart. Read a verse or two, and let His Spirit speak to you.
Start small, take small steps towards Him, and watch Him come closer.
Prayer: “Lord, here is my heart. Here are my questions. I am not sure what the future holds. Please guide me in my decisions and in my life. Show me how to let my heart be at home with You. “
Sarah, little girl dreams have turned into a beautiful maturity as a woman with dreams but mostly a love for Him. You have truly found out the answer with Him gently guiding you all the way. How precious it is to see you sharing that with so many others. That was my dream for you all along.
Thanks for teaching me to dream.
This is an amazing article!! I am 15 years old and an apiring dancer and I needed to hear that I am not the only one asking questions. This really spoke to me! Thank you!
So glad this touched you, Jessica!