Skating Blind

She touched his face, and then again after a spin, as though orienting herself to him as the music started. I was mesmerized by the gracefulness of both these young skaters, he in a dark suit, she in a gossamer short dress. There was an air of innocence in their demeanor, that kind of purity and trust that most know in their youth before the ways of the world sully friendships. Just the exquisite delight of dancing together, skating and swirling over the glistening ice, the arena totally theirs, but for the hushed crowd watching reverently, as the music swelled and danced with them.

It was a holy moment, something precious connecting the two of them. His hand touching hers, his presence always in the right position as she spun for him to lift her and twirl her more. Their routine synchronized perfectly, no hesitation was evident in either dancer… they danced separately as pair dancers do, but as one. If I had not been told one was blind I would have never guessed, or perhaps surmised her touching his face was just part of the story they were trying to tell. Only at the end did she touch his face again. He had skated away and as she glided forward reaching, just waiting, her hand stretched out in front of her as though groping in the dark… she came to a stop. And just exactly then, there he was right in front of her. Her hand felt his face, identifying him, and then as she eagerly leaned relieved into his chest embracing him, his arms enveloped her secure.

Oh my. When I think of the level of trust one must have while skating blind I cannot help but think of the parallels to walking in faith. Long ago a respected preacher defined faith as “walking to the end of all the light one has and taking another step.” What was it like for this young blind skater to first get on the ice? Did parents hold her hands and spur her on into confidence to fly free? To give her wings to dream beyond her limitations and accomplish feats in her youth most sighted people never achieve? Surely there have been coaches, and trusted folks who have infused her with skills, given her courage, and cheered her on. So like this is learning to walk in faith. On the ice, skating blind one is using physical senses to listen, hear, touch, feel, orient oneself in time and space, and practice routines to know how to move. Walking blind through life, the earthly spirit has its soul (emotions, mind, physical senses) for navigation, but more importantly is given access to God’s Holy Spirit Who opens the eyes of our blind earthly spirits that one may see God’s design and walk forward in faith. This world is filled with much darkness, and our spirits long to fly free into the light, to dance rapturously in unabashed joy.

Who will lead us? Like that young skater we, too, need a trustworthy guide in the dark. Not just any dancer will do, for there are those who would use us and abuse us. No, we need the Holy One Who teaches us the dance, yet allows us the freedom to dance our part. Who is there for us to touch His face to orient ourselves. The One Who holds our hand, catches us and lifts us, embraces us, and when He lets us go never actually leaves, but is there just when we need Him, to touch His face again. Our spiritual dance partner is more than a temporary helper who is there just during a routine. He is there always for our good, and being the Originator of the dance, is there to keep teaching us as well. Invited in, He comes to dwell in our lives, and promises this dance goes on eternally.

Is your spirit skating blind? Need a soul partner you can rely on? Call on Jesus…He knows everything about this dance through life. He even makes us new!

Jeremiah 31: 3-4 (NKJV) 3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. 4 Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt,
O virgin of Israel!
You shall again be adorned with your tambourines,
And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice.

If you are new to learning about Jesus, the Gospel of John is a good place to start. Seek Him and you will find Him… He is waiting for you!