“Dancing with the Stars” and the Christian journey

What is it about transformation stories that hooks us every time? The creators of Dancing with the Stars have certainly figured it out, and they’ve built a TV empire on it. Season thirty-four’s recently confirmed cast list, featuring professional athletes, Olympians, movie stars, reality TV personalities, comedians, and singers, has fans buzzing with excitement. And personally, anticipation of celebrity transformations is half the fun. But why?

Why are we so excited to watch Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles and two-time NBA All-Star Baron Davis take on this new challenge? What intrigues us about seeing the OG Goonie himself, Corey Feldman, or Conan O’Brien’s faithful sidekick Andy Richter, morph into graceful, disciplined dancers?

The physical challenge we recognize

Part of our fascination comes from knowing what lies ahead for these contestants: hours of daily practice, endless repetitions, and learning to move their bodies in completely new ways. We also wonder what makes social media influencer Alix Earle think she can master the tango and how actress Danielle Fishel, best known for her role as Topanga from Boy Meets World, will navigate the foxtrot. The physical demands alone will be daunting. But there’s another layer of this journey that will make their transformation even more compelling.

We also want to see how contestants will mesh with their new dancing partners, knowing success isn’t just about chemistry, but also about surrendering control. Hilaria Baldwin, for example, already has ballroom experience, but stopped dancing sixteen years ago after a hip injury. Despite her advanced background, she must now learn to trust her partner, Gleb Savchenko. 

And how will these celebrities handle making mistakes and being judged on such a public stage? Will they support one another despite competing against each other? Even after thirty-three seasons of DWTS, we can’t wait for season thirty-four to reveal how this new cast will handle the transformation before them.

Why this resonates so deeply

Transformation stories connect with something deep in our souls. And they remind us of something important we tend to forget: that we were created for more—much more. 

In fact, the Apostle Paul writes, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Not just a different creation. A brand new creation!

So here’s the beautiful difference between Paul’s reality and reality TV: the hard work is finished. These celebrities will grind away for weeks to become the next dancing champion. But those who follow Jesus have already been made new. The transformation happened the moment we believed.

The real challenge

Our story isn’t one of transforming ourselves. It’s about remembering who we are in Jesus, and letting that shape us every single day. The hardest part isn’t learning dance steps or developing muscle memory. It’s about trusting God completely and positioning ourselves before Him so that His Spirit can transform us by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2).

Just as DWTS contestants must trust their partners to guide them through the unfamiliar terrain of competitive dancing, we must fully trust God’s leading in every aspect of our daily lives. We lay ourselves down, vulnerable before his word. We release control, learning to submit to His will. And like Corey Feldman, who will undoubtedly look awkward while learning the salsa, we must embrace the discomfort of learning to live sacrificially for God and His church (Romans 12:1). 

As contestants train hard to achieve a brief season of transformation on the dance floor, Jesus’s followers get to invest in an eternal transformation that comes from walking with our Creator. And our reward is beyond what we could imagine.
So as this season of Dancing With the Stars unfolds, let it remind you that you’re already part of the greatest transformation story ever told. The question isn’t what you need to change about yourself to win, but whether you’ll trust the process of daily surrender to the One who gave His life to lead you through yours.

About the author:

As a pastor, professor, and dad, Josh Morgan has spent more than 20 years helping people cultivate a deeply rooted and genuinely joyful relationship with God. Drawing on his Doctorate of Christian Formation and Discipleship, he equips believers to grow in faith, experience God’s presence, and live out their calling with confidence. To learn more about Josh, visit here.