Ice Dancing - Five

    It was their first competition as a married couple. The major sports television networks were present as well as the top names in ice skating. It was great fun and a tremendous challenge. David and Alicia were nervous yet exhilarated. Their nervousness however served as a catalyst for confidence and greater boldness in their routine. They danced as they had never danced before. Every move, every jump, every lift was inspired. What a rush they experienced when they knew they had done their best and the crowd cheered its approval!

    With few exceptions, the other skaters performed equally as well. The only thing marring an evening of otherwise professional quality was a few rookies who played to the crowd who loved the perilous, with more exotic moves and riskier lifts than their more seasoned counterparts. Several falls and one injury were the result of their folly.

    Today more than ever some are seeking greater and greater spiritual stimulation until the distinction becomes unclear between what is merely "spiritual" and that which is founded upon sound foundational biblical principles. The fact is that nothing could be more exciting than a genuine relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It inaugurates a wonderful awakening of our spirit that establishes spiritual life and real connection with the true and living God. It brings inner refreshing, fulfillment, and spiritual sight that is clear and real, and these deepen and mature as we continue to seek and have fellowship with Him.

    Matthew Henry, a respected theologian, said "The truth concerning Christ is not to be exchanged for novelties. The truth of Christ abiding in us is a means to sever from sin and unite us to the Son of God. The Son is the Mediator by whom we are united to the Father."

    Some of those rookie ice dancers suffered defeat and embarrassment when seeking to thrill and impress the audience and the judges. In the same way, we are headed for spiritual disaster when, instead of building on them, we exchange the infrastructure of basic Christian doctrines for those that are extrabiblical and perhaps are even of another "spiritual" source.

    " For yourselves keep faithful to what you heard at the beginning. If you do, you will be living in fellowship with both the Father and the Son. And that means sharing His own life forever, as He has promised." 1 John 2:24-25 (Phillips Translation).

Copyright Daphne Harrington 1999