I love Dancing with the Stars. At least I used to; I will admit I haven’t watched it in several years, but I used to love watching it. I loved the way the “stars” who had no dancing background would get better and better each week, and I would watch them with awe, so impressed with their hard work and ability to change their awkward bodies into graceful, delicate moves on the dance floor. Though harsh sometimes, I love when the judges’ scorecards grow higher and higher each week.
When I was a little girl, I took dance lessons. As I got older and cheered, we did dances. In college, I studied and took the test and received my license to be an aerobic instructor. Remember when we used to call it, “aerobics?” Sounds so archaic now. About 11 years ago, I fell in love with Zumba. I love to dance. I always have, and I always will. Terry has even agreed to take dance classes with me, where we can learn to Salsa and Rumba! Some days when a song we love comes on, Terry will just reach out his hand to me and we will slow dance right there in the kitchen or living room. I absolutely love those moments, too.
I love to dance and I want to learn more dances. More importantly, I really want to learn how to dance with God. I want to dance with my Papa the way David danced before Him. I want to dance through this life with poise and grace. I want to dance through the heartache and uncertainty we face and know those who are watching me will smile and approve.
Last year, Michala sent a song to me called, “Teach Me To Dance” by Jervis Campbell. (It quickly became one of my favorites). Michala usually hears all of the new, cool praise and worship songs before I do, so she sends along quite a few. One day when I was in the kitchen cooking and this song came on, I texted Michala and asked her, “Do you know this song?” and I attached it. She texted back, “Yes ma’am. Remember? I sent it to you!”
So now we have a running joke every time one of us hears the song, we will take a screenshot and text the other one and ask, “Do you know this song?” I especially love his lyrics, “'Cause You are my everything, I want to meet my Maker
Oh, teach me to dance so I can dance with You
Teach me to dance so I can dance with You
And these chains that bind me, break them in glory
And don't let me hide it for Your kingdom it comes
Oh the water runs deep, a living testimony
I-I-I know You remain even when I fade
'Cause I know You remain even when I fade.”
I want Papa to teach me to dance so I can dance with Him. He gives daily dance lessons through His Holy Spirit. We just have to be willing to be still and let His Spirit guide us.
“Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.” - Psalm 149:3
Y’all might be far more sophisticated than I am, but I had no idea what a timbrel was. So I googled it. It’s another word for tambourine - used by the Israelites. I’m sure they look quite different today, but that’s what it is.
I want to praise God’s Holy name with dancing, no matter what. No matter what my circumstances are, I want to dance with Him. As Jervis Campbell sings, “And these chains that bind me, break them in glory, and don’t let me hide it, for your Kingdom it comes!” I want to dance with Papa. I want to dance with Him and for Him, and because of Him.
There will be days our circumstances might not allow us to feel like celebrating and dancing. That’s okay. On those days, we can slow dance with Papa, and cry our tears on His shoulder. Ask Him to teach you to dance. Then let Him lead.