Sunday, December 22, 2013

Ninth Day of Christmas: A Reason to Dance



Let them praise His name with the dance; (Psalm 149:3a KJV).

Little children excited about Christmas gifts dance around the house. We may ask them to calm down, yet the Gift of all time, the reason for Christmas, can even get the grownups dancing. How can we not dance: God sent His only Son to set us free!

Holiday season or not, and even though we are thankful that God sent Jesus for us, the circumstances of life can be overwhelming. How can we dance when getting out of bed is a challenge? How can we dance when the pain runs deep, the loss is too much to bear, or when trauma leaves us frightened and confused? How can we dance when our bodies or minds are afflicted with illness?

I will build you up again, and you… will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful (Jeremiah 31:4, TNIV)… I will turn [your] mourning into gladness (Jeremiah 31:13, NIV).

During one of the most difficult seasons in my life, the song, “Dance, Children Dance” (Leon Patillo, 1979) encouraged me to stay focused and to have a reason to dance in the midst of bleak—and what appeared to be hopeless—circumstances. Problems can be overwhelming, but God stays the same. We can dance because of who He is and because of the hope He gives. We can dance because if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36, NIV)

God has given us the victory through Jesus. Like David, let us dance before the Lord with all [our] might (2 Samuel 6:14, NIV).

Thank you for turning my mourning into dancing. Thank you for setting me free.

© 2013 Nance

1 comment:

Evelyn R. said...

What a revelation, Nance. To dance before the Lord is a blessing and a gift, from you to Jesus, then back to you. God be praised!

E. Bonnie