“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who
directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17.
One of the most burned images in
my mind is the image of Michael Jackson dancing his way from one illuminated
square to the next in the Billy Jean video.
(I had to go watch it just now for old time sake!) The
image of him moving through the city lighting every square with each step made
for a great video. I read that he was
told ahead of time that only certain squares would light up, so the dance moves
had to fit within the confines of the tiles that would illuminate. Being the talented dancer that he was, he
created moves that looked as if Michael himself was causing them to glow at his
touch by an act of will, when in fact not all tiles were designed to light
up. He was directed in the flow of the
dance by the desire of the outcome.
While it was permissible for him to dance on any tile he wanted, it
would not create the benefit of his goal for the video.
I was comparing this to a
principle that God included in His word.
1 Co 10:23 tells us that ‘Everything is permissible (lawful), but not
everything is beneficial.’ If that is
the case then how do we navigate through life only choosing the things that
benefit us? We must allow God to light
up those areas in our lives that have been wired for our benefit. This was made very clear to me over 14 years ago
in my weakness to secretly overspend. It
was perfectly acceptable to go shopping, but for me it became a stronghold
instead of an activity. For me to go
shopping during a time when I was lonely, sad or confused was definitely not
beneficial to my growth. Even now God
places certain tiles around my weakness that keep me dancing on the right ones...a
husband who will hold me accountable…my testimony that would be affected by my
stronghold…my desire to please God who has taught me a better way. We all have our tendencies that are not
beneficial to our lives and are contrary to our dreams. We are all moving and living within our own
video, and need the direction of the Holy Spirit to illuminate our way. Choosing tiles not yet lit can lead us away
from our desired life, detouring into darkness. The Holy Spirit
“I know what I’m doing. I have it
all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you
the future you hope for.” MSG, Jeremiah 29:11
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