The Delight of Dance
By Rev. Dr. Maxine Thomas, Columnist
Second Samuel 6:14 says, “David danced before the Lord with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod.” I want to focus on some words that capsulize the Psalmist David’s love experience with the God who loved His soul.
The Bible says, “And David danced before the Lord.” I don’t know about you but when I behold the beauty, glory, and splendor of this Elohim, the Creator God, I can’t help but dance. I feel like a butterfly who has just come out of its cocoon; for He took me and made something beautiful out of my life. I feel like a bear that has just returned from hibernation. I’ve made it through the winter of disappointment and heartaches and it’s good to be out of my cave. I’m coming out of hiding and I’m ready to dance.
David danced. He didn’t shuffle his feet and act like God had not been good to him. He danced. He didn’t hang his head low as if the world owed him something. David danced!
Dance does not begin with the rhythmic swaying of the body and the deliberate motion in your feet. Dance is a fragrant expression of a melodious song in one’s heart. If you have a song in your heart, I don’t care if you have absolutely no rhythm or have been told that you have two left feet. You can dance. Get up out of your seat and dance ‘til you feel better!
The Bible says he danced before the Lord with all his might. I believe that within his soul, David began to breakdance. I mean, he danced until some things were broken and shattered. God wants to shake, rattle, and roll some things in your life.
Come on and just allow your spirit to rise up right now and take a curtsey before the Lord. A curtsey shows honor and respect. It is an act of humble appreciation. Before you take this dance or accept God’s invitation to dance with Him, bow in humble adoration. Psalm 95:6 says, “O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”
Within my spirit, I long to dance with God, feel His cheek next to mine, to feel His touch and embrace. I want Him to spin me gracefully as He steers me from complacency to commitment. As I relax in His arms, I want Him to lead in the dance as we waltz to the tune of “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.”
God’s way is sure. Yes, He will lead you in the way that is everlasting. While in His arms, the only music that I hear is the rhythm of His heartbeat. As I lay my head upon his breast, each pulse beats with love as I long for this moment to never end. I am enraptured by the fragrance of His love. He moves and I move. When He lingers, I am still—still and waiting, yielded to Him.
The Bible says David danced with all of His might. I believe that David put every ounce of his love, affection, and loyalty into this dance. He gave God all that He had.
Oh, the glory of His majesty. Oh, the wonder of His love. With Thee, oh Lord, I dance tonight. As the dawn breaks and a new day unfolds, in His arms, I still behold the glory of a joy divine. I danced with God last night.
Exhale. Pray: Oh, how I delight in Thy presence. My joy is complete and my heart surrenders. I let go that I may hold ever tight. Thus, to Thee, oh Lord, I cling.
The Rev. Dr. Maxine L. Thomas is an ordained itinerant elder in the AME Church and is currently the assistant pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Louisville, Kentucky. She is also the president of Women in Ministry for the Thirteenth Episcopal District. Dr. Thomas is the founder and executive director of Sisters Keeping the Covenant, an adjunct professor, Christian author, and events coordinator. She is married to the Rev. Troy I. Thomas and they have three young adult daughters.
