My daughter recently became engaged to a wonderful, Christian man whom she describes as the “one” she has waited and prayed for all her life. His name is Joshua, and her Daddy, and I have been praising Jesus for this answered prayer.
I cannot tell you how many people have expressed their joy for Rylee and Joshua and then made the statement that they are sure Ricky will be dancing at the wedding. I enjoy dancing but my husband does not so I can count on one hand how often we have danced in our 52 years of marriage.
Dancing at a wedding is an age-old tradition, and there are many references to dancing in the Bible.
The first appearance of dancing is in Exodus 15, where it speaks of Miriam, the sister of Aaron and Moses, taking the tambourine and leading all the women with their tambourines in a song of praise and dance before the Lord. This followed the crossing of the Red Sea and their celebration of freedom from the Egyptian bondage.
Another instance is found in 2 Samuel 6, which has King David leaping and dancing before the Lord.
I remember being taught from a very young age that dancing was not allowed if you were a good Southern Baptist. It was actually written in bold letters on posters in our Sunday School classrooms. I always wondered why these two could dance, but we could not. Psalm 149:3 states:
“Let them praise His name with dancing. Praise Him with the tambourine and dance.”
There are instances in Scripture where dance is associated with Pagan practices and thus was a sinful activity. The most noteworthy example is found in Mark 6, where we read about the seductive dance of the daughter of Herodias, Salome. This led to the death of John the Baptist. I assume this is why we Baptists were forbidden to dance.
I have realized that it is not the dancing that is sinful, but how it is performed that can make it a sinful activity.
Dancing can be a literal form of worship, expressing gratitude and joy through movement and music. It can also be a metaphorical representation of a life filled with praise and celebration.
“Dancing with Jesus” in an earthly context can be interpreted as living a life in accordance with God’s will, expressing joy in His presence, and experiencing a deep, intimate relationship with Him through our worship, prayer and serving others.
It is about actively engaging with life while maintaining a focus on God’s love and purpose.
This metaphor is not unique. C.S. Lewis used this metaphor of dancing in his book, Mere Christianity. He explains that the Trinity of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, dance together in perfect union with each other. Scholars use the Greek word perichoresis, which means “going around, rotation,” to describe the ongoing union of the Godhead. Choreography comes from choreia or choresis. I believe this is a wonderful way to envision the Trinity.
Sanctification is often a difficult concept for us to grasp. It simply means the ongoing process of the Holy Spirit transforming believers into the people who are more like Jesus, setting them apart for His special purpose and use. It is a work of God’s grace, not something humans can achieve on their own.
According to Lewis, the God-dance is playing out in the life of the Jesus-follower. He states, “We dance to the music on which God is dancing.”
Our dance with Jesus requires trust, connection, and surrender. We must relax in His capable arms and let go of our controlling attitude.
Just like a Bride on her wedding day, we have a part to play in this faith-filled dance. Our part is to follow the lead of our Groom and trust His every move.
Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages our part; it concludes with Jesus’ part:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Can I paraphrase these verses to fit my metaphor?
Trust Jesus to lead you in this dance called life. Lean on Him for every step you make, and stop trying to take the lead. Surrender yourself to His arms, and you will gracefully glide on the floor.
When I look back on my spiritual journey – the dance I have with Jesus – I know there are times when I took the lead and thought I knew best how the dance should unfold. This is a lie that Satan loves to tell us to keep us
confused.
Maybe you are stuck in one of Satan’s lies of life, and you are feeling very empty and trapped. There are times when I have felt immovable in my spirit.
I know that Jesus has not left me alone on the dance floor; life has caused me to walk off from Him. I know, beyond all doubt, that He is always waiting for me to come back and resume the dance.
There is nothing that Jesus has not done or will not do to be with you!
Our strong and tender Savior is completely competent to lead us. He knows the right moves and He know the rhythm perfectly. He alone knows the complicated steps and the sudden turns the dance may take. He wrote the music for our dance. It all has been orchestrated by Him.
Jesus is the One who designed our dance. He is the One in control, and He is the One setting the pace. He is there to steady us when we stumble, pick us up when we fall, and do whatever it takes to keep us dancing. Ultimately, we will be sanctified – set apart as holy- because Jesus will complete the process. We must fully trust Him to lead us. Psalm 143:8 tells us:
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.”
My Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for being a trustworthy dance partner, always leading me perfectly into my next step. Help me resist the temptation to break away on my own and push You away. You are faithful, competent, and kind. My desire is to become one with You on this dance floor of life. I want my steps coordinated with Yours and our hearts to beat together because You are transforming me daily through grace-filled experiences. Help me relax in Your embrace and follow Your leadership. I know in Your arms, I will feel loved beyond measure and peaceful as only You can give. May my dance with You last a lifetime. I love you, Jesus, Rebekah.
Chris Tomlin wrote a wonderful song called: God’s Great Dance Floor(Lyric video). Listen and envision yourself “Dancing with Jesus.”
Rebekah Marsh
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#rebekahmarshblogs