Put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let me present you with a question; how do you feel about dancing?
Does it excite you? Does it challenge you? Are there only certain types of dance you appreciate and others you despise? Has your dancing experience only been in your bedroom, in front of your mirror, secretly hoping someone will come in un-announced to find you unleashing your best moves on them? Perhaps dancing is your absolute worst nightmare and the part you dread most when having to attend a birthday or a wedding.
I ask because at some point or another we have all busted out a signature lawn mower move or bopped around listening to music on our home stereos or Ipods. My all time favourite quote when I ask someone up for a dance is; "I really can't dance, no seriously, I am so bad!" As if to say," I am unwilling to get up and dance because I don't know what to expect when I start letting loose like a goose".
Let me tell you , I come from a family of beautifully expressive dancers. Key moves being the walking robot and my mum's favourite, which can only be described as a hippy ribbon dancer, minus the graceful ribbons and insert claw hands, let's say sassy meerkat. Not to mention my beautiful husband who has a 'rep' around these aisles for his sporadic movements that imitate some species of bird. Yet every time I witness these moves, I know it's coming from excitement of their heart and that in itself excites my heart.
Dancing can be ignited from many influences. It might be an appreciation of music. For example one of our family traditions was 'dad's-choice-of-music-day', where we were all forced to listen to something dad chose but that the rest of us all despised, full bore, with all doors opened so the neighbours could enjoy it too. But at some point during a repeated Devo track, (remember "whip it"?), out of excitement dad would get up and bust out, to which mum would follow and my brother and I would usually join in. It only lasts for a minute but during this awkward freeze in time, we all connect. We bond as a family of weirdos. Weirdos who are willing to accept each other for their bizarre moves out of fun, love and the excitement that the music provokes, yes even Devo.
It could be ignited by a new and hip style of dance. A style that says, "what you see is what my attitude presents". Familiar to this 'tude is the style known as Hip-Hop. Love it or hate it, it dominates the music charts and main stream dance scenes. Most professional dance studios offer this style now for its popularity. Where as a few years ago it was only associated with those who immersed themselves in the less commercialised culture of R'n'B and Hip-Hop. It's not everyone's cup of tea. I was recently asked, at the pharmacy, what style of dance I'm currently doing. After replying that I am doing ballet classes, the facial response from this lovely older lady was a nice big smile.
As I continued to explain that I also loved and have taught Hip-Hop classes, her facial movements changed to an expected frown followed by "oh no, not that awful type of dancing!". I tried to back pedal my way out of a stereotype that had already been created for me.
I can safely assume that the disdain response I was receiving was from the famous video clips of hip-hop stars being surrounded by not-so-bootylicious babes, wearing a couple of headbands strategically placed around their girly privates. It's a hard mix. Essentially the style is about rhythm and isolation of the body. It's fast and exciting and allows you to express your own sense of attitude. I can assure you this can be done without the sexual references.
I began questioning a few people on their thoughts on dancing in a church context. It seems the opinions about dancing for Christ are as strong as they are towards dancing in the context of the world. We will always have some, in the church, who admire the expression of a dancer. There will be others who dislike the thought of dance during a church service, as it may seem like a nice but pointless performance. Others cringe at the thought of having dance during the worship part of the service, as it may distract and is again seen as a performance.
And then there are those of the opinion that dance is not a form of worship at all. It is however referenced in the bible; 2 Samuel 6:14 "And David danced before the Lord with all his might".
So what have you decided? Whatever your level of experience and talent in this particular field, dancing for our God should be a gift to Him. A gift of praise and a gift of freedom. It is of the heart and not for those keeping face. He makes it possible for everybody to dance, whether you have one arm, or your a wavy hand raiser or whether your signature move is in fact the sassy meerkat. I encourage you to encounter God in this freeing way. Remember, God has no syllabus. It's a heart parade, just be courageous.
