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| Photo by Southerly Clubs 1994 |
I had a dream in which my husband Richard and I had been leaders
during a long dance workshop that had included many classes, seminars, and
performances over the space of several weeks. It was coming to a close and we
were excited about the awards ceremony, hoping that we might possibly be
selected for special recognition based on the quality of our dancing,
choreography, and instruction. But there were so many talented coaches taking
part that we knew we were blessed just to be there at all.
When we arrived for the final festivities, we were
surprised that there were very few in attendance. Although hundreds of students
and about ten professionals had participated in the workshop, this last event
only included about a dozen people, seated around a long table in a plush,
upscale dining room.
The table was spread lavishly with gourmet delicacies and
special chef’s creations, and everything looked delicious! Everyone was dressed
in high fashion, glamorous attire, and servers in smart uniforms hovered around
the table, eager to fill everyone’s requests.
We hesitated, thinking we must be in the wrong place, because
the diners looked unfamiliar. Or maybe it was just that we were accustomed to seeing
everyone working hard, not relaxing; wearing dancers’ sweaty practice clothes
and not evening wear. Richard and I turned to one another, hoping for some
nonverbal sign that we should either sit down or leave. But I couldn’t get a
clear read from his expression, and I realized that he also sensed my confusion.
The man sitting at the head of the table, apparently the
host, gestured for us to be seated in overstuffed, velvet chairs. “You’re just
in time!” he exclaimed. “Doesn’t everything and everyone look wonderful? We
were just talking about how you two are going to get top awards for sure. So
sit down, relax, enjoy the food and the company, and look forward to collecting
your prize!
But far from finding this reassuring, I felt uneasy.
Suddenly I heard a great shout and thunderous applause from far down the hall,
and I realized that we were indeed in the wrong place, and that by accepting
the dinner invitation we had missed the actual closing ceremonies!
As I awoke in a cold sweat, I began to consider the
symbolism of the dream. Once we are saved by placing our faith in the death,
burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), we have a time-limited opportunity here on earth
to serve Him (John 9:4; James 4:14). There are so many
souls to reach for Him, and so few workers to witness, encourage and edify (Matthew 9:37-38; Luke 10:2),
but He has placed each of us in unique settings to do just that.
Looking back, we can see that skills we learned, talents we
developed, and people we met even before we were born again (John 3:3-8) did not merely happen
by chance, but were arranged by our loving Father to equip us for the special
ministry opportunities He planned for us (Jeremiah
29:11) even from before the beginning of time (Ephesians 2:10).
As long as we yield to His perfect plan for our life, as we
are instructed and led by the Spirit, He will enable us to complete His amazing
mission, opening doors (1 Corinthians
16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3; Revelation 3:8)
and providing all that is needed (Philippians
4:14-19). With Him, all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26)
God’s provision regarding the dance ministry He had planned
for Richard and me to share began with the artistic desires for expression He
imbued us with before we were born (Psalm
139:13-16). He allowed me to begin ballet at eight years of age and to
be exposed to many forms of dance, theatre and the arts, even though I would
develop these gifts in secular settings for many years before I was saved.
He brought Richard and me together in an amazing way, and
gave Richard athletic ability and the love of dance even though he took his
first lesson at age 40, after meeting me! God opened doors to incredible experiences,
opportunities, coaching, owning a ballroom for daily practice, working in
mysterious ways we did not understand or appreciate at the time, for we did not
yet know Him.
We are so blessed that He has allowed us to use our passion
to serve Him, expressing His love through dance to reach secular audiences with
His Word. And we are equally blessed by the other amazing ministry
opportunities He has so graciously extended to us. But are we being good,
faithful stewards, or caretakers (1
Peter 4:10; Luke 12:42; 1 Corinthians 4:2), over these
blessings? When we see Christ face to face, we will have to account for all
that we have done with our life since we were saved (Romans 14:12).
Ministries are not meant for believers to compete with one another
for special recognition, but to work together to build God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 3:1-11). Yet Jesus
did not rebuke Peter when he asked what reward he would receive for leaving all
behind and following Christ, but instead promised him leadership over the
twelve tribes of Israel, and rewards to all the faithful (Matthew 19:27-30).
Through Holy Spirit inspiration, the apostle Paul promised
that at the judgment seat (2
Corinthians 5:10), Jesus Christ will reward us for whatever good works
we do in His service after we are born again (John 3:3-8), with the right motive of love for Him and for
one another.
These works will withstand the judgment fire and emerge as
purified gold, silver, and jewels. But good works, even if done in His Name,
will burn up like hay and stubble if we are doing them to satisfy our own
desires, such as feeding our pride, self-indulgence, or desire for man’s praise
and recognition (1 Corinthians 3:1-12-15).
In the dream, I lost my reward because I got distracted by
the earthly pleasures associated with the ministry, and failed to keep my eyes
on the true prize. Through our dancing, before and after we were saved, God has
granted us many amazing experiences – travel, fellowship, staying in pleasant
accommodations, performing at renowned venues, accompanied by talented
musicians and orchestras, dressed in beautiful costumes, encouraged by audience
members and other artists who took the time to express their appreciation.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying these blessings, for
God gave us richly all things to enjoy (1
Timothy 6:17). But if our ministry becomes about the fringe benefits,
and not about the Prize, we will miss the joy of our true reward! God keeps us
on earth after we are saved to serve (Philippians
2:5-8), not to be served, and to die daily to the flesh (1 Corinthians 15:31-34) so as not
to grieve or quench the Spirit (Ephesians
4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
We will not lose our salvation, for nothing can separate
the believer from God’s love (Romans 8:39),
and no one can snatch him or her from the double grip of the hand of Jesus,
held securely by the hand of the Father (John
10:28-29), sealed by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). But
we can lose our reward for service by selling out for earthly indulgences, for
the kingdom of God is not about meat and drink, but about righteousness, and
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans
14:17).
May we not grow too comfortable in our ministries, content with
good feelings, fellowship, pleasant surroundings, and recognition by others,
that we might not lose our reward and have Him wipe tears of loss from our eyes
(Revelation 7:17; 21:4).
May we fight the good fight (1 Timothy
6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7), run the race that is set before us (1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1),
and press on toward the mark for the prize of our high calling (Philippians 3:14) in Christ
Jesus!
It will be well worth all our earthly labor and sacrifice
to hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21-23; Luke 19:17)
– enter now into the joy of your Lord!”
© 2016 Laurie Collett
