Fear and Faith...I read recently that fear was faith in the opposite kingdom. That is really scary! - I'll admit - that I struggle in this area. In some Worship gatherings, prearranged dance is acceptable, and in other Worship gatherings, spontaneous dance is welcome. In the later, the struggle is then, fear. Coralee named it, the feeling of being "bound by fear". I can't tell you how many times people have said that to me -that they have a desire to dance, but fears and insecurities stand in the way- I've heard this so often that I've almost come to believe, that everyone is called to dance in some capacity - even if it is just whaling on a drum or stomping a foot.....for many the desire is there, but the question maybe, "What should I do? How can I move?"There have been times in my life where I did dance when my heart was burning...some of those times I wanted to dance, and some I did not want to dance...my friend Mary calls that a 'sacrifice of praise'...and a perfect example of that is the lyrics in the song, "Blessed be Your name" (Matt Redman), "when the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say, Blessed be Your name..." well i don't know if the darkness was closing in - but I think fear was....faith is moving away from that fear. And yet I would not tell a person that wanted to dance, but were fearful, that they were in sin!!! Especially because I often struggle with the same thing!
God is Gracious.
But I would say - for everyone - Worship does not start on a sunday morning...It does not start at a Christian gathering.....Worship begins with an encounter with the Maker...It starts when our eyes have been opened a little more to see His Greatness - His Love for us - and so our heart responds in worship. So does the dance start - so the dance can start at home for an audience of One...and then as we continue in that, and doors open in the logistics of dance: space/improv in the corporate Worship setting - you have this garden that you have been cultivated behind closed doors.
Some great ones, men and women of God that I have strongly admired for their genuineness, and real God-anointing - spend much time before the King alone...getting to know His voice...Honestly I think this credential is greater than any time spent in a studio - ballet class - or what have you. God is the creator of anatomy and physiology - HA! He knew every movement that was ever choreographed before it was choreographed - not to diminish the importance of technique and studio classes - BUT - "Martha, Martha, you worry about many things! Mary has chosen the greater - to sit at my feet!"
