The Joy of Dance

Then young women will dance and be glad,
    young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
    I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13

Dancing is one of the great pleasures of life.  There is delight in letting go and moving with the music.  Whether it is swaying slowly or jumping wildly as a child, there is joy in the freedom and the exuberance of feeling the music. The human body responses instinctually with fingers snapping, feet tapping, and hip gyrations. We all know the pleasure of moving were the music leads us and watching others dance. Do you smile while watching a small child wiggle in front of a cd-player? Do you gasp for air when a ballerina leaps across the stage? Or do you simply feel a warmed heart when an elderly couple two-steps across the dance floor. 

What is this gift of dance?  What is this joyous emotion with hip gyrations or shuffling feet while smiling and floating arms in the air? Is dance a response to joy or is joy a consequence of dance?  Can we even separate joy and dance?  Have you experienced tremendous joy and never twirled around, or stepped through a quick grapevine?

Of course there is always the anxiety of a first dance.  That stressful feeling one gets when not knowing how to dance while others watch. The conformist need to do it right and not be foolish. But these are performance and perfection requirements of social settings, with greater expectations than joy.  To release the need to perform and simply feel the music as it floats across the room, is a completely different experience. It is an experience worth cultivating.

It does not matter if you shuffle around the kitchen or step onto the dance floor with a band playing. The experience of dancing is a gift from God. It is a pleasurable and joyous way of celebrating the gifts of music and life in God’s world.

Dear Lord, Never let me forget the pleasures that exist in this world.  Never let me pass a day without experiencing Your presence whether it be through dance, music, or worship. Let me always remember the simply joys of this life.

The beauty of God's creation

For you will go out with joy

And be led forth with peace;

The mountains and the hills will break forth 
into shouts of joy before you.

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Isaiah 55v12

What does it mean for a mountain to shout?  Does a hallowing wind blow between cliff and ravine causing sounds to echo?  Do birds fly in large flocks with beating wings reverberating between mountainous peaks?  Do mountains actually make noise as easily as rocks pour forth water?  Are we called to do more than enjoy the beauty of God’s creation? Are we called to rule over the very mountains, hills, trees, and fields?

I believe we are.  The world was given to us in Genesis and even though we broke it, it is still ours.  As any child is given responsibility to feed a pet, or put up toys, we are responsible for the earth.  It is a gift from the Great King, and as His children we have responsibility beyond enjoying the gift.

I planted a small garden in the backyard and it produces more cucumbers and squash that I can eat.  So I make soup to freeze and give as gifts to friends.  By being responsible for a small plot of earth it multiplies the gift and bring smiles to others. Those that generously share squash soup recipes online participate in my joy.

A friend gave me the gift of daylilies to make my yard more beautiful. She brought many smiles to my face along with hours of gardening therapy to enrich my soul.  Her neighbors and mine enjoy the beauty of flowers we plant in our yards.  As the daylilies multiply I will share them with someone else, bring joy and smiles to another soul.

There is a large hill behind my house. Although it has never shouted, it does bring me joy.  Staring at the trees bending in the breeze and listening to the birds sing, brings peace to my soul.  At the end of a long day there is my peaceful patio waiting to offer solace and a glimpse of the abundant generosity of God.

God has given us so much in this rich and abundant earth.  How much can we give others by being responsible children, taking care of our gift, and sharing it with others?

Dear Lord, never let me take the beauty of nature for granted.  Help me find ways to share that beauty with others.  Show me how to be a more responsible child.

The precious gift of scripture

All scripture is inspired by God

And profitable for teaching, for reproof,

For correction, for training in righteousness.

2Timothy 3:16

What is the difference between the word of God in scripture and the Word of God in the flesh as Jesus Christ?  Jesus is the Word became flesh.  He is the King.  He took the form of a man to walk among us and to save us from ourselves.  He is the crucified and risen Lord who sits at the right hand of the Father.  He is God.

Holy Scripture is the inspired word of God written by human hands.  It is written by people during their lifetimes and based on their understanding and experiences. For me scripture is the very breathe of God.  When reading scripture there are times the page becomes alive as though His breathe blew across the page ruffling the edges.  It is a mystical experience to read words on a page and feel the ancient wisdom still alive and breathing. To know the Living Word is as close and significant today as it was 2000 or 4000 years ago.

The Psalms are people talking to God about God.  Telling God how they feel about him and what they think of His deeds.  Through words the ancient writer’s praise the glorious God, call to question His unfathomable deeds, and bow down prostrate before His magnificence. These writers call God to action against wicked neighbors, cursing those who rebel against the ways of the Almighty, and pledging their eternal obedience to His rule.  What a privilege to read words spoken, prayed, cried, and memorized by millions of souls, each seeking respite from an all too often cruel world.

The Bible contains many stories of people called out by God:  Moses, Joshua, Diana, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, Mary, Paul, Peter, Timothy and many more with and without names.  Each person has a unique story when God called and began leading in a different direction.  Moses a privileged murderer called to lead a million slaves to freedom.  David a cunning commando called to rule as King. Elijah called to proclaim even when he ran and hid in fear. Mary a youthful virgin called to an unexpected pregnancy. Paul a murderous zealot called as a missionary and church builder. Each life was full of pain, hard work, and unexpected successes.  What is it to follow God’s direction not knowing your life story will be retold to millions of children for a thousand years.

When we read  scripture we hold ancient history in our hands.  We explore the Creator’s willingness to walk among us and share himself with every living person.  It is a great honor and privilege to possess such a gift.