Dance
Dancing
Dancing with the divine is the theme for Jubilee this quarter. Dance, in scripture, is a sign of the fullness of God’s presence, as when the Children of Israel danced after crossing the Red Sea or when David danced as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem. Jesus spoke of dancing while the wedding feast was going on. Who knows, maybe even uber-sober Saint Paul twirled a time or two after writing the beautiful words about love being the greatest of the big three in I Corinthians 13. No doubt about it, dance is an important metaphor and a holy activity in the canon of scripture.
Now, for a confession: dance is not something I do well or particularly enjoy. I am a stiff, old, white guy with little sense of rhythm. When my wife coaxes me onto a dance floor, usually at a wedding reception, the experience is physically exhausting because dancing makes me tense. And I’m talking about slow dancing! I would never try the shake and rock of the jitterbug or other movement following the beat of fast music. People could be watching!
So, what about dancing with the divine? It is a nice, catchy phrase, but how in the world do you pull it off if you are an up-tight man? Well, one thing that occurs to me is to ask why would I have a problem dancing? Part of the answer, I believe, has to do with how men are scripted to live in our society. We are told to be responsible, to take charge, to make things happen. How in the world can someone with this kind of personal script yield to the beat of music and just go where the rhythm takes you? It is difficult to let go when you think that being in charge is what you are supposed to be about…all the time.
Dancing with the divine is an invitation to take my hands off the steering wheel and let something else drive the car. It is an invitation to enjoy life’s moments without self-conscious judgment about looking silly or acting immature. It is about opening to the possibility that even I am part of the party and that however I dance is all right.
Could it be that the great invitation of Jesus to all of us is to get onto the dance floor of your own authenticity and go for it? We dance with the divine when we follow the inner prompts of our heart to do that which we feel we must and which can, potentially, bring us great joy and deep peace. All kinds of dances are calling us to get on the dance floor. Should you pick up a pen and write poetry? Should you allow yourself to draw and paint? How about giving singing a try, or cooking, or designing fashion? Those are just a few of the dances that invite you to join them. There are many more and you know what they are.
So, give yourself permission to dance with the divine. It could be the best and most important gift you ever give yourself or allow yourself to receive.
Chris Andrews (6/24/21)
www.jubileepioneers.org Email: chandrews1965@gmail.com