Watching other children warm up backflips and pirouettes quickly dampened my confidence, but I knew I would be fine as long as I performed the choreography exactly the way I learned it. Most of the audition was smooth sailing but as it came to a close, the choreographer allowed the music to keep playing and simply said, "freestyle." I froze. I had never improvised before, and I was lost. I ended up getting a small role in the production, but I wanted more.

Two years and numerous master classes later, I auditioned for the same production again. This time, I felt invincible until the choreographer threw another surprise into the mix - hip hop choreography. I felt my ego quickly deflate as I realized that all my extra ballet and contemporary dance training had still left me unprepared to improvise to hip hop music.

As I went through the familiar process and found myself frozen again, one of the directors pulled me aside and said, "When it's time to freestyle, do what you know." She walked away before I could respond, leaving me more apprehensive than ever. When the time came, I saw that same director's eyes on me and as I twirled along, it became one of the most awkward yet rewarding experiences I've ever had. In the end, I secured a better role that I wasn't even aware that I could audition for. I was beyond grateful for the one who saw my potential and gently nudged me out of my comfort zone.

As I've walked with the Holy Spirit, his simple instruction has at times had a strong resemblance to the guidance of the director who helped me years ago. The same perfectionism that left me frozen when it was time to improvise has made it nearly impossible to take risks at times. My instinct is to approach every experience with excessive preparation and excellence. However, I'm realizing that my way doesn't always leave much room for the Holy Spirit's creativity or my own.

Making a habit of trusting Him with the unknown has felt like learning to freestyle all over again. I've found that when He's leading, I don't always have the luxury of organizing my words. I don't get to analyze each new opportunity from every angle before jumping in. Each time I approach an unfamiliar circumstance, I hear Him gently reminding me, "Do what you know."

I've been in training and not only does my Teacher have a bird's eye view of each new circumstance, but He has a deeper understanding of who I am than I do. I'm learning that there's something beautiful about discovering what He's doing this way. I'm seeing new sides of myself as pressure forces me to rely on Him. I'm learning more about Him as I keep pressing forward. In the same way that I learned to love the freedom of dancing with no plan, I'm learning to love following God's voice without the pressure of perfectionism. As He leads me into new territory in ministry, my career, my relationships and in my understanding of Him, I can approach the unknown without the apprehension that once hindered me. I can move forward with a newfound sense of wonder.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways, know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].” (Amplified version)

If you've recently found yourself unsure of what to do and where to go next, I challenge you to step into unfamiliar territory with the assurance that God will teach and guide you along the way. I challenge you to take the risk and make mistakes, to make discoveries that can only happen when the music plays, and you don't know what comes next. I challenge you to trust in the Lord and allow Him to prove to you that he's worthy of your trust.