“WHO ME?”…Dancing

One of my favorite scenes in the Bible takes place in Exodus, Chapter 15. By the miraculous hand of God, the people of Israel have crossed the Red Sea and they are now set free from slavery. Can you even imagine the joy of that day? Unbounded exuberance!

(Illustration by Bob Dacey from “Miriam’s Cup” by Fran Manushkin).

Miriam, who was a prophetess and sister of Moses and Aaron, led all the women in dancing with tambourines as she sang, “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously!” (Exodus 15:20). The dancing burst forth out of gratitude and praise for who God is and what God has done. They were unchained. Their whole bodies were filled with worship.

On a mission trip to Africa, I experienced people in villages of poverty whose hearts overflowed with the riches of knowing freedom in God’s grace. Worship was filled with joy, and joy was filled with worship.

Our first time of coming together as one in Christ was in a large open area surrounded by tents. We all danced in long lines through the fields of glory. Music filled the skies.

Traveling by bus we arrived in one of the villages and looked out our windows…

Crowds were dancing to meet us and welcome us. They surrounded the bus and our hearts with their hospitality. Our bodies began to stir as we stepped off the bus and stepped into the dance. (By the way, I have one of those “Methodist outfits” with the cross and flame pattern in the fabric which the people of Africa made for me).

In our last morning of worship together, our offering was a dance.

It mattered not what we had in our pockets to give. We all danced down the aisle giving OURSELVES as an offering to God. It was an offering I will never forget! And every offering since has contained a bit of that dance. It now lives in my soul.

When it comes to dancing in worship, count me in! My toes are tapping the minute the dancing music begins…I can’t resist. If you are looking for me in Heaven, I’ll be dancing in glory with Miriam and the band!