Dancing With the Real Stars

Dancing With the Stars made its 14th season debut last week.  I only became a fan last year when Nancy Grace joined the team.  I'm not sure if I pulled so for her because she's from my neck of the woods or because she and I are the same age ... and if she could do it then maybe I could, too.  And I have to admit I'm a little intrigued this year that 67 year-old Gladys Knight has taken the dance floor.

For any who are not familiar with the show, there are 12 celebrities paired with 12 professionals, and each week they prepare a new dance routine -- anything from the quickstep to the cha-cha to the foxtrot.  From the Charleston to the jive to the jitterbug.  And each week, one more couple is eliminated.  But one thing is certain as we are given a view into the rehearsal rooms: the professionals call the shots and press hard in order to make the dance go smoothly and seem effortless.

Though not a true dancer by any stretch of the imagination nor the body, I've always loved to dance.  I even had my stint on the "big stage."

I wonder what judges Bruno, Carrie Ann and Len would have to say about my form here?  Let alone the wardrobe...

And there was that time in my later years when I got to actually dance the waltz with a professional instructor.  I don't know if I've ever been lighter on my feet ... or heavier on his.  But truthfully, it was one of the real highlights of my life to be carried along with such ease and with such grace.  Or so I felt.

And as recently as today, I've been rehearsing a piano piece for the Easter church service: the 19th Century Shaker hymn Lord of the Dance.  So I guess I've just got dancing on my brain.

I'm aware that some churches and denominations frown on dancing, but not me.  In fact, I think it's quite Scriptural.  Zephaniah 3:17 reads, The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.  

That word "rejoice" is the Hebrew word giyl which is often translated "to rejoice, exult, be glad."  But the Lexicon takes it further and says it means "go in a circle, to DANCE."  Is THAT not a picture of God?  The Mighty One whirling and twirling over us?

The 4th Century Cappadocian Fathers, a monastic group who promoted early Christian theology and were highly respected in both Western and Eastern churches as saints, defined the communion of the Trinity as the "Great Dance."  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the real Stars, flow and frame their lives in a dance of perfect love.  The cool thing is that we have been invited to join Them and make our moves across the dance floor.

Maybe this desire to dance is a God-thing after all.

Anyone care to rumba?

Just an ordinary moment...