Do You Have to Follow Rules for God?

Normally I like to Follow Rules

The cashier took my five dollars, slid it into the metal cash box, and pointed to the handwritten sign. “This is a fragrance-free event.” Now evening, I hoped my perfume had faded since dressing early that morning. I proceeded to find a bench and change my shoes for the dance, mentally making a note to drop the perfume routine every Thursday for the contra dance. The string band lined up on the stage and a caller coaxed newcomers to meet in the middle of the gym for a quick lesson. My foray into the world of contra dancing had begun.

A dozen old timers introduced themselves to the new dancers. The experienced dancers partnered with a newbie and formed a circle. At the mic, a caller explained the basic moves and rules of the dance. “Pay full attention when I call for hands-four.” To demonstrate, my partner faced me, and we held hands for hands-four.

For the next thirty minutes, I learned the contra dance moves for beginners. We practiced do-si-do, allemande, swing, balance, courtesy turn, and promenade. The lesson ended and the gym filled with four lines of people ready to put together the moves. With a bluegrass band and guidance from the caller, a gym full of smiling, laughing, sweaty people danced for the next couple of hours.

As the evening progressed, I learned more about the expectations of contra dancers. The reasonable rules made sense — except the no perfume command.

It’s Important to Follow the Rules for Beginners

Rule #1

No experience required. The contra dance is a social dance. People are encouraged to join the dance no matter how much they know. After attending week after week, I learned the calls and could anticipate the moves without confusion.

Rule #2

Listen to the caller. During the walkthrough, the caller explains the choreographed move for the song followed by a brief practice without music. Then the dance begins with music as the caller guides you through. The line progresses with dancers forming shapes like stars, chains, squares, and figure eights.

Rule # 3

Communicate your needs to your partner. If you’re a new dancer, be sure to alert your partner before the dance begins. That way, your partner will know that you will need guidance as the tempo of the music increases. If you’re struggling during a move, your partner will help you get into the right position. If you’re both experienced, it’s important to talk about how fast you like to swing, or if you prefer to dip, twirl, or spin.

Rule #4

Enjoy the dance. No one expects a perfect dancer.

How Does Contra Dancing Apply to the Christian Life?

No experience is required.

In Christianity, God asks us to come as we are. No pretense. No prepping. No trying to be good enough before we enter the church doors, ask to be baptized, read the Bible or pray.

Come. As. You. Are.

Listen to the caller.

Like dancing, God’s calling us. He’ll guide us through our daily moves as we spend time with him. One way God wants us to spend time with him is through Bible reading. We build a relationship with him by reading the bible, the book he left with us. By reading God’s word, we get answers to our questions and come to understand him. We learn his voice. Through the stories of others, which are applicable to our lives today, God shows us how he choreographs the moves we need to make, the directions we need to take, and the habits we need to break.

Communicate Your Needs

God wants us to communicate with him through prayer. He desires a relationship with us. As we spend time praying, our connection grows. Daily prayer time is our chance to talk to God about our needs. It’s the time to ask questions. The time to tell God about how much we love the sunset he painted or ask him to provide protection. Prayer time is the time to download all our thoughts. Spill out all our worries. Ask God for help. Tell him our weaknesses. Our fears. Ask him for strength. He’s the lead.

Enjoy the Dance

            God doesn’t expect perfection, only perseverance.

Back to the Perfume Rule

If I wanted to dance, adhering to the ‘No Perfume Rule’ was expected. Consequently, I returned once a week, sacrificing my morning spritz of cologne. Eventually, a handsome gentleman asked me to dance again and again and again. As I got acquainted with my dance partner, I learned perfume gave him headaches.

As a result, not only did I skip perfume once a week, I sacrificed it all together because I wanted to spend time with the handsome gentleman. Later, the handsome gent not only asked me to dance, he asked me to marry him.

Finally, that Fragrance-Free rule didn’t feel like a rule but a wise choice.

God Will Take the Lead in the Dance as Long as We Ask

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.  Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

 Do We Have to Follow Rules for God?

            As we commit to a relationship with Jesus, perspectives shift. Habits change. We’ll change out of a heart of love and because we understand God’s expectations. His guidelines for life won’t feel like a bunch of rule-following. Lifestyles might change, along with our attitudes, due to the relationship we’re forming with our creator, our protector, our heavenly father.

            Do we follow rules for God? It would be misleading to tell you that God does not have guidelines for our lives. When I changed the lead from me leaning on my own mind to leaning on God’s, my heart changed. I wanted to change. Rules? That’s not at all how I perceived them. Now,  the rules represent smart guidelines to keep me safe, saved, and sweet on Jesus.

Change perspectives. Shift habits. When change happens out of love, we don’t see rules; we see a relationship.

Ask God what he expects, and he will answer.

God Direct Our Steps

Dear God,

Some of us feel like good people and don’t understand why we need you. Speak to us. Some of us feel so bad about our choices that we don’t think we deserve you. Speak to us. And some of us deny you—believe that there’s no God and there are no rules. Speak to us. Sear our hearts, our minds, and jolt us into the right direction with you as lead. Amen

Further Reading

Plans: Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Perseverance: James 1: 3-4 NLT

Ask God: Jeremiah 33:3 NLT

Come As You Are: Matthew 11:28-29 NLT