I’ve been thinking about my posture quite a bit lately. As a competitive dancer, posture and poise are important ingredients to consider. The way I hold myself when we walk onto the dance floor speaks volumes to the judges before the music even starts. And I enjoy a competitive edge because I have a history of dance training reaching back to my early childhood. My posture is something people compliment me on, commenting that they can tell I am a dancer by the way I carry myself. Coaches in my ballroom dance world are sometimes less complimentary as they tell me to lose the ballerina stance that is so deeply ingrained in me and adapt to the posture of partner dancing. For better or worse, my posture tells the world a part of my story.

As affirming as it is to receive compliments, there’s another posture I long for the world to see. I want a posture of submission – submitted to grace, mercy, healing, restoration, joy, freedom – the posture of a woman surrendered to the will of God in her life. And I wonder how that looks. Is it a head bowed in reverence or arms raised in joyful worship? Is it kneeling alone in tearful confession or standing with my face turned towards heaven in awe of amazing grace? Is it jumping and singing praises with children or standing in quiet contemplation as the sounds of a beautiful hymn wash over me? I’ve been prayerfully considering this dichotomy for months now in preparation for Thanksgiving with the in-laws, where my boys and I will be islands of faith in a sea of unbelievers. We’ve danced this dance for many years, my in-laws and I, where I am careful to respect their Jewish history without compromising my own faith walk. But I want this year to be different. I want them to see Christ in me. I want my boys, all young men of strong faith in their own rights, to see their mom be bold as the Spirit leads.  The 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews outlines faith in action. It begins “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) and continues with a historical retelling of God’s people submitting to His will by faith. God’s answer to my prayers brought Hebrews 12 verses 1-3 to mind.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

As I consider the posture of submission I long for, it’s a relief to know that this life of faith is one of perseverance instead of a sprint. It is my walk with God; past, present, future, that will refine and align my will to His. Similar to the way my dance history has shaped the way I carry myself now, God has shown me His hand in my life. And as I draw on that history, it affects my posture today. I don’t need to know the exact course God has set before me. By faith I will fix my eyes on Jesus and run without fear of growing weary, knowing He will lead, into this season of great thanksgiving.

Lara Kaufman
Director of Family Ministries