When you go before the Lord and the people what is in your heart? Do you desire to draw the hearts of the people to you or to Christ? Are you there to be the best looking dancer, with the sharpest moves and syncopated rhythms? Or is it your hearts cry to worship the Lord in purity and truth and to draw the hearts of the people to Christ? Or are you a dancer who’s just dancing because you enjoy dancing…and when you go out you’re having fun but it hasn’t touched a deep place within you…you haven’t made the connection with your spirit man or the Holy Spirit? It’s something to consider. What is it that you seek when you go to minister before the Lord in dance?
One of our main assignments is to lift up the Lord as we minister before Him and His people – to direct and lead the people to Christ. Sure, technique and skill enhances and expands our ability to “speak thru dance”. However, it is what is in our hearts that matters most when we go before His presence. It is what people EXPERIENCE through you that brings transformation. I can go forth with a rousing and wonderfully choreographed piece that may bring people to their feet. However, they will soon forget this dance because there was no experience with God. Or, I can go forth with the intention to bare my soul and expose my heart for God which in turn could leave the room in silence. This silence is not necessarily an indication that the crowd wasn’t “with” me. In this silence, there can be healing, deliverance or even a “word” of confirmation. This is what people will remember…that you have affected them in the secret chambers of their heart and in realms that only they and God know about.
So, don’t be swayed by the roar of the crowd. Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes, many times, the people will receive the demonstration of your “true” heart with applause, cheers and accolades. But remember, this is not what we seek after. I must admit that I have “felt” this before or wanted “confirmation” that the crowd was “feeling” the dance. However, the more I dance, the more I KNOW that it is not the approval or applause of the people that matters, but what God thinks that matters. If God is pleased, then I know the “work” has been done and God’s desired affect is inevitable.
How do we not get caught up in the celebrity and the desire for the applause of the people, you ask?
I can go into a lot of detail and depth here, but I want to keep it really simple. We are responsible for what we do before God and His people. The bottom line is this….
· We have to seek God to know Him and understand the desires of His heart.
· We have to choose to obey God and submit to His will, so that we are not moving or dancing out of our own selves, but from the mind and heart of Christ.
· We have to want to please God more than we want the accolades of the people.
· We have to want see God in what we do and not be blinded by pride and arrogance.
Most importantly we have to Love God and Love His People. If we keep this at the core of who we are and what we do, we will honor God through our dance.
Psalm 119:33-40 (Amplified Bible)
33Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the end [steadfastly].
34Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law; yes, I will observe it with my whole heart.
35Make me go in the path of Your commandments, for in them do I delight.
36Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness (robbery, sensuality, unworthy riches).
37Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity (idols and idolatry); and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways.
38Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant, which is for those who reverently fear and devotedly worship You.
39Turn away my reproach which I fear and dread, for Your ordinances are good.
40Behold, I long for Your precepts; in Your righteousness give me renewed life.
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