“for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.”
Psalm 95:7
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to sit in the audience at a beautiful ballet festival. I am DRAWN to watch certain dancers. Of course I am drawn to their technical excellence in their dancing, but I am also drawn to their face. It is hard to put into words, but I am drawn to the dancers who radiate a confidence that comes from deep within… it is not arrogant….it is magnetic. It is not saying, “look at me!” but it is so powerful, that I can’t take my eyes off of that particular dancer. I am drawn to them because they are IN their character that they are dancing, and they dance with an inviting warmth and tenderness….without worrying about making a mistake or how they compare to the dancer next to them. They are humbly confident in their gift. They are dancing for the audience, not AT the audience. The dancer I am drawn to watch, is the dancer that remembers that the audience is part of the performance….that without the audience, their would be no performance.
In “real” life, I can get too caught up in who is watching….or not watching. I can worry WAY. TOO. MUCH. about what people think. What if we were motivated in our daily tasks, routines, and work not by trying to please everyone or worrying about what people think, but what if we DANCED OR LIVED FOR AN AUDIENCE OF ONE? How would that change your day if you lived for Jesus’ eyes only? He cares so deeply for each of us and has sweet, awesome blessings around the corner for us, if we will just look to Him instead of look around at what others are doing or at who is watching. We get in the way of God’s movement in our lives when we worry about what others think. He has gifted you so specifically. What if you lived for His eyes only…confident in your gifts…..the gifts that He gave you? He cares so deeply for you….you are constantly under His care and His watch.
And just how a ballet dancer becomes magnetic to the audience, I believe your life will become a magnetic example and inspiration for others as you focus on your audience of One. You will radiate a new confidence that is not flashy or self-focused…but God-focused…and it will be beautiful, warm, and inviting….
and it will point others to Christ.
Remember that you can ask for His help with this …you have the Holy Spirit in you that enables you and constantly shepherds you.
How will your dancing and your living look different this week as you dance and live for an audience of One?
It already makes my heart leap just thinking about it!
I saw this earlier this morning on Twitter and almost never found it again! (Getting kids off to school when I saw it!) But this is such a beautiful analogy!
I try to think of that “Audience of One” and it makes my actions and attitude so much better! Life is easier when you only have one Person to please rather than a million.
Thanks for the reminder!!
Thanks for reading and so glad you found it again!
Sarah – this is a most beautiful observation. Your words, as always, are an inspiration. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Vanessa, for your sweet words!! Thanks for reading!
Beautiful & true illustration Sarah….loved this!
Thanks, Beverly!
Wow! How beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this. This truly spoke to my spirit and reminded me to do everything for the glory of God; not my own. I couldn’t have read this at a better time. Thank you for this website.
God bless you and your family always,
Cicely
Thank YOU for letting me know that you were encouraged! Thanks so much for reading and for your incredibly kind words! God bless you too!!!!