Will You Dance? (10/1/13)

/ October 1, 2013

Read: Isaiah 62:6-65:25, Philippians 2:19-3:3, Psalm 73:1-28, Proverbs 24:13-14

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. (Isaiah 63:9)

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. (Psalm 73:23-24)

dancing

Relate: Twice yesterday I saw a beautiful thing. Both times was in a fairly crowded restaurant with quite a few people at tables and booths eating their dinners. The first time, from a three year old was fairly expected. Her family was done and getting up to leave. This little girl walked to the booth next to her and struck up a conversation with the elderly couple there. They said something that caused her to show off her dancing and she had no fear doing it. Wiggling her butt, raising up those arms and twirling around. She laughed without a care in the world. There was no self consciousness. There was no fear. Everybody loved it, but this little girl clearly loved it the most.

The second time was a girl about eight or nine. She had ordered “tomato soup and a pickle” and her mother  said, “if that’s what she wants to have that is what she’ll get.” About halfway through her meal this girl said, “I feel like dancing.” She stood up and began to shake to the music as she continued to eat. Instead of trying to sit her down or look around embarrassed, her mother stood right up with her and the two of them spent the next ten minutes or so eating and dancing their way through their meal. They weren’t showing off for anybody else. It wasn’t attention seeking. Really, I doubt they cared or even noticed anyone else. They were sharing a meal and a moment. They were creating a memory.

React: Later that evening, as I was walking and praying these two moments came back to my mind. As they did, I felt God nudging me, “When was the last time you danced for me?” I don’t think the question was so much about the dancing. The question was more, “When was the last time you simply cut loose and worshiped me so fearlessly?” Have I become so focused on the world around me that my expressions, my nature has become guarded?

It was clear that both these girls were being raised in a good loving environment. It was clear that they had a loving family and this gave them a confidence that isn’t always so easy to see. I have a loving Father who has chosen me, who has adopted me and who cares for me more than my mind could ever fathom. He has called me His own and promised that He will always be there for me. Time and time again He has proven Himself faithful time and again. He is trustworthy. He is love. And He is holding out His hand and asking me, “Will you dance?”

Respond: 

Yes, Lord, I will dance. Help me to continue to dance for You, with You, every day, every moment, every breath until that final one when I will be able to dance with You, for You, in heaven.

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60 thoughts on “Will You Dance? (10/1/13)”

  2. First off, I LOVE Jesus Culture.
    Secondly, the video was quite enjoyable to watch. The endless capacity that resides within humans, keeps me in awe. Your blog prompted nice thoughts. Then, it was embellished with biblical verses…. so Very nice.

    Reply

  5. Beautifully written, by the heart. It made me smile outside and inside. Yes, God deserves us to feel happy, secure and free in Him so that we can dance before Him in sweet abandon.

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  9. Love this! I need to dance… spent time with my grandson and was able to sing (really offkey) to him while we walked along the streets, I played openly with him without a care, I need to translate to my relationship with our Father… thanks for this. DAF

    Reply

  17. Oh, I LOVE THIS! Thank you! I’m going to figure out how to reblog and post at bringbread.wordpress.com. Thank you!

    Reply

  26. so beautiful. Ironically, I just talked to my Dad about dancing today, and that perhaps when a wedding comes around, I’ll be able to again. So, I have to ask myself… what stops me from doing it right here, right now. For Him?

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  27. I loved this blog! I thoroughly enjoyed your piece on Dancing. I love dancing; it is a part of me. Thanks for sharing the fear of dancing and cutting loose from it. Keep writing!

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  28. Oh I love dancing so much so how come I feel inhibited when it comes to dancing for God. I suppose I’ve got rather jaded by seeing the pentecostal plod performed one too many times rather than people actually dancing (unless the plod is genuinely their limit).

    Your post actually makes an important point. Have we got an image of God then who is always serious, with whom we can never cut loose, have fun and laugh with? Has the business of faith become something that is just intense and frown-worthy all the time as we look to just strain our way into His presence?

    This makes me long to dance, to become that youngster again who wants to just laugh and spin in front of God. I used to dance for Him on the beach with my walkman (yup, 80s child!). I need to find her again. I think God likes that free girl I was and He longs for me to retain that.
    Brilliant post.

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  29. Nietzsche said he couldn’t believe in a God Who couldn’t dance. He was saying it about Dionysos, one of my Deities. I certainly believe it about Jesus, too. Many blessings…and much ecstatic dancing.

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  30. Pingback: Will You Dance? | Grace with Fire

  31. Reblogged this on Jeanette C. Patindol and commented:
    This resonated with me most: ““When was the last time you danced for me?” I don’t think the question was so much about the dancing. The question was more, “When was the last time you simply cut loose and worshiped me so fearlessly?” Have I become so focused on the world around me that my expressions, my nature has become guarded?” ❤

    Reply

  32. Really nice. Somatic movement in gratitude is worship of the best sort, and very healing. What did Rumi say? ‘Those who danced appeared insane to those who didn’t hear the music…’ or something like that. Yeah, let’s all dance in praise and in gratitude, embracing this gift of Life. Let’s connect to the Divine through this

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  38. Thanks, BJ. It’s almost funny that the thing we were truly created to do–dance with and for our Creator–is what often feels awkward. This was a beautiful reminder of how engaged God is with us as the best Partner we could ever ask for.

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  40. We have been singing “Spirit Break Out” (Jesus Culture Version) at church recently in the main service, and I chose to introduce a different version of it to our children in our iKidz Live service, this version is by Worship Central Live http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OAIHOFAVDo . My son came into the house the other day at the top of his lungs singing Spirit Break Out… Almost rapping, almost screaming, and it was beautiful. My daughter only a year older than him tried to stop him. “He’s too loud mom”. I had to tell her, “he isn’t singing to you, or for you, he is worshipping our God. His God. He should sing it even louder than that. He steadily said, “Break my walls down”. As adults we back up and say, “Can’t do that right now, someone may see me.” I hope they do. I hope my worship inspires something in them. That something is pricked within their heart, a consciousness that God sees them and wants them as they are! Thanks for posting this B.J. It’s a wonderful reminder, to dance, to sing to rejoice with the one who saved us, who died and rose again with us in mind. Appreciate you spreading the message of hope and love and the beauty of our Jesus.
    mel

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