This morning during prayer I began to be anxious, and feeling like I wasn’t doing “enough” to get things moving the direction the Lord would have me to go. He told me to, “stay seated.” When the time was right He said, “I will come and take you by the hand.” He then reminded me of a portion of the book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge called Take My Hand, There is a scene near the end of the film Anna and the King I wish I could now play for you. Let me describe it.
The setting is nineteen-century Siam, a tiny but beautiful Asian country still in the grips of its ancient past. Anna, an English woman living in Siam as a tutor to the king’s many offspring, has helped King Mangkut prepare for a state dinner. He wants to show the British that his country is ready to enter into the affairs of the world, so the dinner is given in the English style — silverware, tablecloths, candlelight, and, at the end of the meal, ballroom dancing.
When the east is over and it comes time for the first dance, the king stands and extends his hand to Anna. He invites her to dance with him. He fixes his gaze upon her and is distracted by nothing and no one else. He waits for her response. She is clearly surprised, taken aback, but has the grace to respond and stand. As they walk past the long table, the king’s eyes never stray from hers, a smile playing on his lips. Others are upset that he has chosen her. Some watch with contempt, others with pleasure. It is of no consequence to the king or to Anna.
Anna came to the ball prepared. She was beautiful in a striking gown that shimmered like starlight. She spent hours getting herself ready — her hair, her dress, her heart. As they reach the dance floor, Anna expresses her fear of dancing with the King before the yes of others.
“We wouldn’t want to end up in a heap,” she says.
His answer to her questioning heart? “I am King. I will lead.”
Jesus is extending his hand to you. He is inviting you to dance with him.
He asks, “May I have this dance… every day of your life?”
His gaze is fixed on you. He is captivated by your beauty. He is smiling. He cares nothing of the opinion of others. He is standing. He will lead. He waits for your response.
My lover spoke and said to me,
“Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.” (Song2:10)
In the service of the King,
Marlene Baggs-Hoenig
Trauma, Stress and Joy Recovery Specialist
