Mark Sorensen This past Monday, ABC started their new season of Dancing with the Stars. Did anyone catch that? I have to confess. I have always been fascinated with this reality show. It’s one of my favorites, actually. Some “stars” come on the show and you can tell they have had some kind of dancing experience in the past because they hit the stage and just do an incredible job. With others, you can tell they’ve had little to no experience other than dancing on the two left feet the Lord gave them (I would fall in the latter category, for sure). As the season began, I could tell it would be more of the same. That is, until Danelle came on.
Danelle Umstead, a Paralympian, took the stage Monday and Tuesday night and became the first blind contestant Dancing with the Stars has ever had on the show. Truly, watching her was astonishing. The intro clip that told her story before her first dance showed her determination amidst the adversity she had experienced from being blind. As a downhill skier, she was able to compete in the Paralympics blind. Here’s how: Her husband would ski ahead of her and give the commands and turns to her via a headset. And then? Danelle would simply follow the commands of her husband’s voice, telling her which direction to turn. Can you even imagine? The same principle applied to her dancing. But this time, it’s not her husband giving the commands – it’s her dancing partner, Artem Chigvintsev.
After preaching last Sunday’s message from James 1:19-27, I thought this was another pretty great illustration as to how we’re called to live. James says, “whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard but doing it – will be blessed in what they do” (James 1:25).
Remember, as we live our lives planted and rooted in God’s Word, the Spirit guides and speaks to us as we walk (and dance) in the world. Our job is not just to be hearers, but doers of God’s Word.
So how has the Spirit been speaking and guiding you this week? Are you keeping the eyes of your heart open to how you can speak hope, life, love, and truth into someone God has placed in your path?
Be bold, friends. Remember: Hearing + Doing = Obedience.
May God continue to lead and may we continue to follow His leading!
