– Tara Lain, Superintendent of the Harbor District
Do you ever move your body – to the music? Do you find a foot tapping leads to a shoulder shrug and a head bop? Do you want to all out describe your feelings through bodily movements set to song or instrumentation? I am probably in the minority, but I do! I was born to dance. I dance to the music as I drive along (not so much with my feet); I dance around the house at times, all by myself, especially when I’ve been sitting very still. I love to dance at weddings and gatherings where everyone joins in. I started taking dance lessons when I was about 3 years old; ballet and tap were always fun for me. I danced my feet between classes in junior high without even knowing I was doing so most of the time. Movement to music comes naturally to me and helps me express joy, excitement, praise and even reverence.
I have danced in worship and have assisted teaching youth and children movements in which we express our faith and praise. Dancers often have powerful emotions to express through their movements. It can be a way to convey what words can’t say or simply an expression of what is on the inside. I sort of wonder why we don’t dance in church – then I realize I’m talking to UM’s – we are hard pressed to clap to music, much less dance! And yet, our psalmist reminds us why we might choose to dance:
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise God’s name with dancing, making melody to God with tambourine and lyre.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; God adorns the humble with victory.
– Ps. 149:1-4
The psalmist reminds us that we all surely have reason to show our praise to God even in the midst of difficult times. Dancing, praising, doesn’t have to wait until we find the perfect time; we can offer praise in the midst of the valleys, the low points, giving thanks to God for hope, an uplifted spirit that day, and for the gifts God sends to get us through each day, often one hour at a time! We find ourselves thankful when the pain lifts for a moment, when the sun comes out and a rainbow surprises us, when a wonderful memory breaks through the clouds of grief.
Dancing is a way to praise God! I recently learned about a song called “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.” Told from the perspective of Jesus, he invites us all to join into a dance that is his incarnation, his coming to live among us. For this gift, we all have reason to dance! It reminds me a little of our hymn, “Lord of the Dance.” Also told from Jesus’ perspective, he tells of dancing through creation and into his life, death and resurrection among us. The chorus is an invitation by Jesus to dance with him, to be led by him.
I am reading Between to Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad which describes her journey as a young adult with cancer and how she finds her way to living again. She puts it this way: Be present wherever you find yourself. Just because you’ve been grieving doesn’t mean you need to go back there. If you feel joy, feel joy! And when you are dreaming, dream on. She learns to live in each moment, knowing joy can be fleeting and is surely found even in the midst of real pain and grief. Grasp the joy as you are able!
I would say, praise may overtake you when you least expect it. Maybe I should say may praise overtake you when you least expect it! Something very small may lead you to voice or dance or shout your praise. If you experience praise, share your praise! Jumping and leaping and (dancing) praising God in whatever ways you know how. In this time which has been heavy with heartache in the United Methodist Church, I am choosing joy, sometimes dancing, always knowing God is with us. God shares a new song so that we may dance. Thanks be to God!
