companykeepersMarch2006

I thought perhaps I’d danced with you before
A child skipping, leaping, jumping & laughing forevermore
Twirling at your azure sky & orange-red-yellow-gold sun
Free to be me with you

                                                    I fell in your rain and floated on your water
                                                    Becoming washed & cleansed, my Father’s daughter

It’s when I worship at your ocean feet
Awe-struck at the beauty of your dynamic creation
I send a SHABACH up to your Heavens
Saying to you My King, How Wondrous You Are!

                                                    It’s your secret place all in me craves
                                                    I am your special created Being, your heart
                                                    My Love who formed me to honor my life with your life

I give my absolute best unto your extraordinary Kingdom:
My YADAH for all that you are &Your Holy Son on Calvary
My TEHILLAH for all that you did for me
My BARAK because it’s the place I know best
Then after I GIYL I need a place of rest
Your loving arms encapsulate me

                                                    My PAZAZ & KARAR for your Holiness
                                                    My AGALLIAO after I‘ve come through the press
                                                    My PROSKUNEO because I must die

                            But it is a death this Bride welcomes always
                            Because only then am I truly free to say:

                            When I worship with abandon at your Holy Hill
                            Then I know our souls have danced

There are many people who argue that dance in the New Testament is relatively minimal. Many of the passages of
scripture that deal directly with dance have been used to state that dance no longer has a place in the worship setting
today. It is interesting to note that the Word never commands us to stop dancing, as we are encouraged to “Praise Him
with the timbrel and dance.” (Psalm 150:4)

Dance in the New Testament is first mentioned in Matthew 11:17 which states, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did
not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not lament.’ The Greek word used for dance here is orcheomai, which
means to dance (from the rank-like or regular motion). “Rank-like” or “regular motion” could very well suggest that this
type of dance described was orderly and done according to the traditional (regular) way. Many traditional dances
include choreography or a series of steps that are characteristic to that certain dance form. Here Jesus is referring to
“this generation” as those who hear, but do not respond (or do) anything in accordance to what they hear. It seems to
indicate that a natural response to the playing of the flute would be to dance, but upon hearing the music this was not
done. We are commanded in James 1:22 to be “…doers of the Word, and not hearers only.” We are expected to
respond according to the Word that is given.

There are other instances of dance mentioned in the New Testament as well. The most infamous mention of dance is
found in both Matthew 14:6 and Mark 6:22 which describe the account of Herodias’ daughter dancing before Herod.
This dance took place at his birthday celebration and greatly pleased him to the point that he offered the young lady
whatever she requested. The Greek word orcheomai is used here as well. If the dance was merely described as ‘a
dance,’ then what makes the dance in itself the culprit? We can infer from the scripture that dance was appropriate for
times of celebration and was acceptable in the house of the king. It also demonstrates the impact that dance can make
on those who witness it. It is the intention (or the heart) that makes the difference. We can conclude that this is a
warning for us not to use dance (or anything else) as a means to gain special treatment from people or bring glory to
ourselves. As 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the
glory of God.”

We see dance in another place in the New Testament as well. Luke Chapter 15 illustrates the parable of the lost son
who left his father’s house to pursue his own desires. He realized his error, and upon returning to his father’s house, a
great celebration was given for the younger son to welcome his return. “Now his older son was in the field. And as he
came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.” (Luke 15:25) The word for dance in the Greek here is
choros, meaning: a ring, round dance (“choir”). We see the correlation of music and dancing together in this scenario,
and we also often rely on the use of music when we dance in the church today. We also see in this account, that from
the original meaning of the word, this was a group of people who danced together during a time of celebration. How
much more we should celebrate in dance when a brother or sister returns to the Father!

Expressive worship has never “gone out of style.” The New Testament gives examples of physical actions coupled with
worship. According to John 4:23-24, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the
Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must
worship in spirit and truth.” Proskuneo is the Greek word used here that means: to fawn or crouch to, prostrate oneself
in homage (do reverence to, adore). Worship requires action. Satan himself even understands that worship includes a
physical posture. He tried to get Jesus to worship him by bowing. We see this in Matthew 4:9-10: “And he said to Him,
“All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For
it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ By gaining an understanding of the
Word, we are assured that physical worship is a New Testament activity as well.

We are to take a “leap of faith.” Acts 3 and 14 share the accounts of men who had been healed from physical ailments.
In Acts 3:8-9, a lame man was healed and demonstrated the results: “So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered
the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.” He
demonstrated his healing through movement, and it was seen publicly. We also see leaping as an act of faith in Acts 14:
8-10 which reads, “And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb,
who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be
healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.” We can dance and leap as
a sign of faith that the Word is for us today.

It is time to get physical in our worship! The Word tells us that everyone will do so in Philippians 2:10, “That at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,” The Greek
meaning for bow here is kampto, meaning to bend. We bend our knees and our bodies to the Lord in dance today to
make the name of the Lord Jesus known in and beyond the church setting.

Though dance is often labeled as an “Old Testament” tradition, we know that the Word is true today. Physical
expressions of worship are not only demonstrated in the New Testament, it is expected and understood as an outward
sign of an inward belief. As a response to earthly persecutions we are instructed to “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” (Luke 6:23)

We have been gifted with the ability to dance. When ministering gifts to one another 1 Peter 4:10-11 gives us these
guidelines: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God
supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion
forever and ever. Amen”. The Greek word for ‘minister’ used here is choregeo meaning to be a dance-leader, to
furnish. I think it not a coincidence that ministry and dance are linked in this manner. Our gifts are God-given, and
belong to Him for His glory. Whether dance is considered “old” or “new,” let us praise His name in it!