I miss dancing. A LOT. I wish I can describe how my arms and feet have been wanting to dance it all out for the Lord. I am not a dancer as one would initially picture in mind. My story was kind of different. Having been out of the dance floor for the longest time, oftentimes I just dance in my mind. Life's just been full of travels, working, studying, coming and going that I've put on dancing too much on the sidelines. There were times I wish life would just be simple and that I'll just dance away to every tune I hear. Stumbling on this video reminded me strongly again of one of the things I love to do: dance for the Lord. I am reminded that sometimes, dancing doesn't mean you always have to be on the move. Sometimes, you just have to stand still, raise your hands, bow down and then slowly begin to execute those dances as the Spirit leads. When free and choreographed dance meet --- how powerful and anointed a dance can become!
I am praying for open opportunities to dance again. If it's one of the things I'm designed to do but fails to do so, no wonder I'm restless. Lord, shall we dance, again? I miss You. I miss US, dancing. :(
This is more of my journey to redemption from a particular thing that has been beyond my power to control (this sounds like a confession now). As all of us are a work in progress, this post would certainly remind me that in order for bad things or influences to lose control over one's life, a bold, intentional and conscious effort must be put in. And that with God's strength and grace, we can be victors and overcomers. I am beyond words how the Lord personally, gently, patiently, creatively and carefully took me out of it. I am touched beyond words how He feels my struggles and weaknesses and is in complete knowing of my journey of faith. It started when my sister showed me a video on YouTube which she then posted on my Facebook timeline:
You may view the video from here, too:
The dance, the song, the message and everything in it kept me on the groove and brought me back to life. I even viewed the video countless times leading me to related videos one after the other. I got hooked! which is definitely a very good thing. I was awakened to hopes and dreams that I have not shared with anyone. The videos became more than just an entertainment. It's more than just a show 'Dancing with the Stars' for me. It served as God's gentle and gradual way of redeeming me from the thing that has been enticing me away from Him. It is like, the more I watch, the more I am being redeemed. :) Redemption, I believe is not a one time act but a daily journey. I remember a line from a song which says, "Savior please, keep saving me..." I am more than thankful that I am being redeemed by Him every single day. By His grace I can say, I am HIS everyday. I am comforted with the truth that God cares, really. He will use personal ways to have His message come across. And that message reached me. More so, I am thankful that we have a God Who is patient. Had it not been the case, I am done... all done and gone.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
If you are currently on the redemption road, be willing to be led. You will be surprised how God will creatively and personally redeem you. If the videos worked for me, I wonder what He will use for you. ;) --- ... and by the way, this blogger turned out to be a 'Dancing with the Stars' fan now. Heehee. Blessings everyone!
(As much as I refuse to be vulnerable with my posts,
time just comes when doing so releases me.)
Dealing with discouragement every single day has always been a conscious effort for me. I need to. I have to. So timely it is that encouragements by the Lord come so personal and touching. I am beyond words. Then I'll just pause. I'll just listen. I'll just pray. I'll just dance the aches away.
I am a self-confessed Bollywood movie fan. Ahm, their movies are typically long, and theirs need not be a dance movie to watch some dances. It is always a given part of it but, I love it! I just so love it! And, just like my Day 8 post, there are dance scenes that really kept me on the groove, makes me smile all the way. Happy, happy, happy. :)
You might appreciate these only if you had watched the films but, feel free to try. On a personal note, these videos never failed to soothe and relax my tensed nerves. It never did. ;)
If I want to grease up an already dull day, I would turn to watch these choicest dance scenes from movies. Though I have already watched a LOT of dance movies, these are my choicest ones, the ones that never leave my memory.
Watch, enjoy, and maybe you'll get to dance, too. :)
Watching these videos leave me inspired, amazed, awed, and in love. *Weeee* Come on, now. ;)
If you want to know the background or context of this post, click here. :) This is one of the simple things I own that I try to hide in mycloset as much as I can. But this blog challenge happens to make me do otherwise. Come, spill the beans, as if to say.
This humble pair has been my ever faithful dance partner. I couldn't dance without the touch of it. I couldn't belt out the dance spirit when I'm not wearing it.
I may have had a lot of times on the stage, platform or limelight dancing my heart away. But, if there is a place where I'd like to dance wearing this humble pair THE MOST, well, it's not the center stage ~ but the backstage. Really.
It's in the backstage (which happens to be my room) my dances are first prayed for, conceptualized, choreographed and the like. Nothing ever comes closely special to that.
This ballet shoes always had the first feeling of me tripping over, of me loosing balance, of me experiencing trial & error in choreography, of me laughing at myself when I feel so silly while forming a dance.
But you know what, this humble pair has never left me. It's always with me... from the backstage to the center stage... from the draft to the final cut.
Since dancing has been very much a part of me, I don't just wear my ballet shoes when there's an invitation to dance. I wear them if I feel like dancing at any given time... on waking up, on free time, even before bed time. I dance when the doors are shut, when the lights are out... even when nobody's watching me out. So, my humble pair should always be within reach.
If I'm not reading, if I'm not writing or blogging, guess what?
I'm dancing. :)
I guess if my ballet shoes can speak, it will always ask me,
Have you ever been captivated by something ~ at first sight? As for me, yes. Definitely. It was relevant and personal then. It is relevant and personal, still. It will be relevant and personal, always.
I wish I can clearly articulate or transcribe very well this thing I really love to do. But maybe it is better left unsaid... and just leave it as it is. :) --- Thank you very much Laura Bird Miller and Akiane Kramarik for these wonderful and meaningful paintings... and the story behind them. :)
If I am going to ride with the belief that we have this so-called 'past life', I'd say I was a praying mantis. I was a praying mantis in a sense that (1) I love color green and, (2) I dance like one. :)
I will help you picture it out. Watch this:
That was a perfect picture of me. My brain seem uncoordinated with my arms, legs and body. Both feet were left. Elbows everywhere, here and there. Grace and poise, totally nowhere.
But, thanks to this comment: "Why can't you dance like your sister?"
I wasn't hurt --- at all. It didn't matter to me. I just grinned. I know myself. I know what I can & can't do, and I won't push myself into doing something that I don't really like. Well, if they can't bear with my dancing, better pull me out from the rehearsal.
After a few years, there was a turn.
Behind closed doors, this mantis asked, "Lord, what can I do for you? I can't sing or dance and doesn't seem to have any talent. I don't know."
Sing? I can't have that confidence to sing in front of a crowd. I think I never will. Dance? Hmm, maybe. At least I won't be holding microphones --- which is one of my fears. But the problem is, I can't dance.
* * * * * * * * * *
And this praying mantis prayed,
"Lord, teach me to dance. My dancing will only be for You."
There was no thunderous voice after that prayer. She just knows that after that day, she was so inspired and excited to go home to play on a music and dance to it --- behind closed doors. She was not mindful anymore of how she moves. She just danced her heart away before her Dance Instructor.
Discovery came little by little: what her body can do, explored its capability and flexibility.
Each afternoon became an opportunity to building up disciplines in warming up the body, discovering personal techniques in spinning, turning, lifting arms and legs. No one knows about it but the Dance Instructor and the praying mantis. Eventually, dancing became a part of her.
After 4 years of dancing behind closed doors, an opportunity came by surprise. Left without a choice, this mantis had to dance in an auditorium.
With a heart pounding so hard, a throat that's starting to get dry, the mantis gathered up herself and prayed and said:
"This is it, Lord. Let's do this. This is for You."
Then there was this spotlight. The auditorium was very quiet, you can almost hear a pin drop.
It was the praying mantis' first dance. She danced to this song and danced her heart away like nobody's watching. It was a free-spirited dance offered to the Dance Instructor to Whom the mantis prayed that she may be able to dance. And the mantis was never the same again.
One dance came after the other, always with her ever-faithful Dance Instructor.
The praying mantis admits that she is not the best worship dancer in the world. She is a work in progress. She is still learning and discovering. One thing she strongly knows she has --- the heart to the dance for the audience of One.
And you know what? This praying mantis still prays.
* * * * * * * * * *
GUIDANCE: GOD, YOU AND I DANCE
When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing " dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G" I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
It was a very anointed and powerful praise and worship time the other day at church. The worship leader, the singers, the musicians, the worshipful congregation may have been in one spirit all together, but one thing I know --- the Lord Himself selflessly made His presence felt by each one. It's very touching to know how our Lord allowed us to have a touch of His presence in times like this. How generous is He to make Himself available for us.
As I write this, I think it is better to actually put the songs in this post as I go along... And you can listen to the songs while you read along... Or watch the videos first before reading along...
In the midst of the worship, more than the singing, I know the Lord wants me back on my toes again. Ah, yes, 'back on my toes' may mean gentle swinging, stepping from left to right, synchronized with each song's rhythm. But no, it's the thing that God has privately and personally revealed me to do. The urge was so strong. He made me feel it, so I know He wants me to do it again. I have not been so into it these past months, that's why.
Honestly, it still makes me uncomfortable when there's a call for me to do it in a public crowd, but still is a good thing. Well, just as they say, do it as if nobody's watching, so I just do it anyway. I primarily and intend to do it - not for an audience of all, but for an audience of One. So for most of the time, it's private, just for the eyes of One. Done. Deal. I want to keep it that way. But if the Lord wants me on my toes to serve, teach or minister, I won't push or refuse it away. It is not for me to keep, by the way.
I will just continue to keep a worshipful life alive. With singing, with swinging, but most of all, with a pair down here --- my toes dancing. It will be back, soon.
To Him whom my toes shall return receive glory, honor and praise today, and to the end of my days. Amen.
Oh, by the way, my post already turned one! At 'di ko pa nasasayaw. :) I posted it for myself and had no idea friends would take time to read through. :)
Let me break this down - backwards:
This dance.
It is because of a particular song that has struck me so strongly (which I am listening to right now), where parts speak of a testimony that marked my life so far... where I could have turned out a mess if not for God's love and grace. I have been wanting to dance to this song. But don't ask me what song it is for I am not going to tell --- yet.
When the time is right.
I have no idea what particular event would have this particular theme. And I don't know, too if opportunity will ever come for this to fit. I am not in a haste though, for I want to dance to this 'fit and right'. This is a dance in progress. I am so willing to invest or give whatever it will demand from me. (Oh, by the way, this blogger is not a dancer as the world labeled it).
Lord.
Will He approve? Will He let me do this? I dance for Him so, it is but right to ask for His consent. Just like a child asking permission,
"When the time is right, LORD, MAY I HAVE 'THIS DANCE'?"
If it will happen to be an epic request, it's fine. I am willing to wait until He says, "Yes."
Okay, today is the 6th of July 2012. After reading this post again (after 8 months), I think and feel this is a good time to spill the beans. So, here is the song:
