Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Dance of Grace


Dance’s definition, “an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting. (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance). There is a tension and surrender as they move as one body and the man leads the woman across the wood dance floor. During high school musical theatre try-outs I learned that I have two left feet and have admired from the sidelines since that experience. Things changed when I relocated to Dallas, Texas almost five years ago.  Mr. Edgar’s tutelage and patience in teaching me how to two step at Red River –is that something that I am humbly grateful for.
In learning how to two-step dance with a partner it brought to light awareness of issues that I have in trust and surrender. The man leads from asking the woman to dance and to the floor as they move together. When you step off a zip line platform into the nothingness of the air with only the harness to catch you is how it is to step onto the wooden floor under the flickering lights of the disco ball lead by the touch of the hand.  Hand-in-hand, the push and pull of the bodies; the man leads and I found myself pushing back attempting to take control and lead.  I see the parallel in my life in how I will try to wrestle with the Lord for control. I will count my pennies and calculations to provide for all expenses, food and gas to last one month’s time rather than trusting that Lord will provide the provision that I don’t see just like the lamb that he provided to Abraham.  Beyond trusting the Lord it plays out in my relationships not just in the physicality that the man will catch me before I fall; but that after sharing my innermost thoughts and failings you will not abandon me on the dance floor.  But our shattered souls do end up lying on the floor because in any relationship; one will do something or not do something to hurt another. After you’ve been broken by the words and actions of another; there comes a decision to be made. Whether you will you will grab the hand before you under the society’s lights and surrender that pain letting the Grace that you have been given by the Lord to wash over you. In the surrender that moves between the two partners as it gives a freedom where there was only bitterness before.  1 John 4.18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” There is security to be held in heavenly and earthly hands that demonstrates the grace towards me in all my imperfections.  The invisible twine between is grace and its ballet thunders in the soul.
2 Samuel 6.14 “And David danced before the Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod.” Whether I’m dancing with a partner or alone before the Lord; I want to dance with complete abandon for whatever broken road that He has ordained for me to walk down. 

 By Shannon McKemie 

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