In “The First Dance,” the second message of the “Love Dance” series, the focus is on the most foundational relationship in a believer’s life: their individual walk with God. Just as a professional dancer relies on a choreographer to predetermine every move, twist, and turn to accomplish a specific intent, believers are called to follow God as the Master Choreographer of their lives. We are His “handiwork,” created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared for us in advance (Ephesians 2:10).
The “First Dance” is the internal, personal relationship with God that dictates the success of every other “dance” in life—whether in marriage, friendship, or career. If this primary relationship is out of sync, every other relationship will suffer. The core step of this dance is found in Ephesians 5:21: ” Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Submission is defined as the voluntary act of surrendering one’s will, preferences, and desires to another with an attitude of humility. This is not a “feeling” but a commitment to the well-being of others, modeled perfectly by Jesus Christ. Though He was God by nature, He “made Himself nothing” by taking the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:7). The sermon highlights a growing “alignment issue” in the modern church:
- The Servanthood Gap: While many desire to be served, few are willing to take the position of a servant. True submission involves valuing others above oneself, regardless of personal status, influence, or power.
- Reverence Over Worth: We do not submit to others because they are “worthy” or “deserve” it; we submit out of reverence for Christ. Just as the disciples didn’t deserve to have Jesus wash their feet, our service to others is an overflow of our worship to God.
True spiritual maturity is visible when a person has spent so much time with the Choreographer that they instinctively know His lead, even in the subtle shifts of life. By practicing these “two steps”—love and submission—daily, we become lighter and more agile in the Spirit, ultimately reflecting the character of Christ to a watching world.
