New Day, New Dance, New Life

This is one of my papers from English Class @ the community college. Just wanted to put it up on here... :D

When I first started Worship dance at my church, little did I know what a growing experience it would be for me, or how much it would change my life. Some may wonder how something like dancing could possibly impact one’s life as it did mine, but that whole experience changed who I am today, and who I will become tomorrow.

This journey started back in August of 2005. My family and I had spent much of the summer looking for another church, seeking to find the place where the Lord was leading us. He finally led us to New Day Assembly of God in Upper St. Clair. It is a small church of about two hundred people where everybody knows everyone. I can’t say that it became my home instantly, but by and by over a process of time, it became a second home to me, and the people there, like family.

A few weeks after the Lord brought us to New Day, the worship dance team, “Send Judah First,” was dancing. The dance team consisted of about seven girls, ages ranging from twelve to fifteen. They were dressed alike and looking like angels, wearing all white and flowing skirts. As they danced to the song, “He Reigns,” I watched amazed and drawn into every step they took. Their white skirts moved about them gracefully and I had this unexplainable feeling bursting inside of me – excitement, wonder - everything hitting me at once. It was on that day I decided I wanted to join the worship dance team. Immediately after service I told my mother about my desire to join in with them. After getting more information, she agreed that I could. I did not start dancing, however, until September of 2006, the following year. During the time I was waiting, I had the opportunity to see several more dances, some smooth and some very up-beat. They did a variety of different dances, most falling under the categories of ballet or jazz. With each new dance that I saw them do, I became more and more excited and could not wait to start.

Finally September came. At my first practice, I walked into the church sanctuary that Tuesday afternoon filled with thrill and anticipation of what lay before me. During my first year at New Day Assembly of God, I had made some friends. One of whom I was particularly close to, ran up to greet me. To this day I have no earthly friend I am closer to. We exchanged greetings and walked down the center isle of the sanctuary, light-colored wooden pews lining either side of us. Even with the rain pouring down outside and no sun coming through the windows, the room was very bright. The stage lights and the lights from the ceiling illuminated the room. I felt at home. There were at least nine other girls there. We all talked for a few minutes before beginning to stretch, all the while waiting for our dance teacher, who I had yet to meet. About ten minutes later, a woman wearing a sweat-suit and a jacket tied at her waist, walked in coming quickly down the isle and set her bag down on the front pew. She had long dark hair, green-brown eyes, and was of average height. I judged her to be in her thirties. As soon as I saw her, I felt instantly welcomed to the dance team. She smiled brightly and introduced herself to me. I loved her right away. For an adult, she was crazy, fun and encouraging, and loved to be with us. All around, she was amazing! I can’t imagine what my life would be without her in it.

Over the first few weeks of dance, we did the normal floor exercises and learned a few dance steps. Then, we started putting a dance together for the Christmas musical that we do at church every year. Every week we got a bit farther in the dance, and every week, I learned more and more, and became very close to the other dancers on the dance team and to my teacher.

When I started worship dance, little did I know it would be the beginning of a journey, a journey that would lead up to where I am today and one that would change who I am today. In that one hour of dance every week, I learned much, and not just dance. I learned so much more than that. I was taught another way to worship God with everything that He has given me. I learned the importance of unity in the body of Christ, and how there is a power in unity. Included in the lessons that I have been taught at dance over the years are grace, showing mercy, forgiveness, trust, being joyful, the importance of accountability, worship, spiritual warfare, friendship, love, and all the fine character traits of a woman of God. Every week, I learned something new, and every song that we danced to spoke to me in a new way.

The feeling I have when I dance is amazing. No words could ever express the power of it. The feeling that is rushing through me as I dance before the Lord in the power of his presence is indescribable. Dancing in his presence is the most awesome feeling I could ever feel. When I dance, it feels like there is this overwhelming power running over and through me like a rushing river. When I enter into that, I want to stay there forever and give back to God everything that He has given me. Dance is the language of the soul, where each movement is a word. When I dance, I dance for the Lord. I offer Him everything, and hold back nothing. As I worship, I send up my song and my praise. This is what I desire to do for all of my days, to worship God and to be who he has called me to be. This journey that I’ve taken so far is only the beginning. I have so much more to learn, and so much more to do. Everything that I have learned along this way is preparing me for what will come tomorrow.

One of my favorite dances that we did was to the song, “I Will Lift My Eyes,” by Bebo Norman. That song really spoke to me, and was especially powerful to me as it expressed what I was feeling in that season in my life. The song is like a prayer, asking God to come near, and be there in the midst of everything going on, and then having Him pick you up and hold you. That was one of the most amazing dances that I ever did. I remember that as my dance team and I danced to that song, everything came together for me. When I first started that dance, I felt everything that the song was describing. I needed to be near to God, I needed Him to lift me up and draw me close to Him. So much was going on for me when we were doing that dance. I never really admitted it, but I was really stressed out at the time with school and with everything that was going on. As the chorus played, “… I will lift my eyes to the calmer of the oceans raging wild. I will lift my eyes, to the healer…” It was at that moment that I felt closer to God than ever. He met me where I was at and made himself known to me. I knew at that moment that He was holding me, and that he also held my future. This unexplainable peace came over me and I learned in all this, that when life gets at its hardest, to rely on God, look to Him and seek Him first in everything. Even more, I know that He will always be there, and that I have to keep my eyes on Him.

The journey that I’ve made through dance is unique. I’ve learned many things that most would never see in a dance class. I’ve built strong relationships with my dance team, and especially with my dance teacher. She has taught me so much in the short amount of time I’ve been with her. I have come a long way from where I started. I wouldn’t be the same today had I not joined with the worship dance team. In my time with those girls, I also learned responsibility, discipline, and so much more. Those girls that I dance with are like my sisters. We are a family. We hold each other accountable, and push each other forward. We encourage one another and grow together. These friends I’ve met along the way, I will always hold in my heart. No matter where life takes us, we will always carry a little bit of each other everywhere.

This journey has been amazing. It’s funny how something that might seem so little, can change so much about you. God brought me to New Day, taught me a new dance, and from that, I have a new life. Where this road will lead, only the Lord knows; but my life is a dance. You give it your all, sometimes you may fall, but what does not change, is that you get up and keep on dancing for all you’re worth. I want everyone to see this journey that I’ve taken. I want them to see the reason I dance. I want them to see how God has moved in my life though my years in worship dance. To see the road I’ve taken is to see who I am today. I want people to see how I got here. I believe that worship dance was one of the best choices I have made. My heart, my soul, my worship – I give it all to God. He gave me life. He chose this path for me.

Looking back, I see how far I’ve come, and looking ahead, I can’t wait to see where this journey will take me. I may not know exactly where this road will lead me, or what paths I may cross as I continue down, but what I do know, is that I’m going to dance down the way I will go. I’m going to worship God in dance as He leads me down the road which he has called me. This is where the He has brought me so far. I still have far to go, but I know that God will lead me in my dance and in this new life that I have found in Him.

Master Craftsman @ Work!

For how much I've tried to be on here and keep this updated...it just did not happen as I hoped. I'm still going to be on here...just not as much as planned.

Okay, well God has been moving so much in my life! Just looking back to where I was a few years ago, and seeing where I am today, it is amazing! God has brought me so far. But most of all I've learned to trust God in everything. I know that no matter what comes to pass in my life, that God will bring me through it all. I just need to hold fast to Him.

Malachi 3:3 says that "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."

In the process of refining silver, the silversmith must hold the silver in the hottest part of the fire where he must keep his eyes on it and watch it carefully. When placed in the hottest part of the fire, that makes the silver easier for the silversmith to mold and shape into the form that he so desires. The silversmith knows that the silver has been refined when he can see his image in it...

In the same way, God holds us in our storms and trials. He never takes his eyes off of us. He molds and shapes us, then brings us out of the storm when he sees His image in us.

When storms comes, remember that God is holding you there and that He will never take His eyes off of you. The purpose of the storm is so that He can mold and shape you. When He sees his image in you, He will bring you out.

God won't put you in a storm that He knows you can not make through. If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Trust Him through everything. Praise Him in everything. Come to Him with anything. He can be your everything! Each storm and trial that you find yourself in, God is equipping you for the work He has planned for you. God doesn't call the equipped to a certain ministry. He equips the called. A good friend of mine told me many times before that, "We have to be who God called us to be." The storms make that possible.

In the book of James, the first chapter, it says, "Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you will be sure and complete, not lacking anything."

Have joy in knowing that the trials you go through are strengthening you. Today's difficulties are preparation for tomorrow. It is God's way of equipping us for the future that He has planned for us.

Many a time I've been through this process, and many more I will go through this again.

Next storm - remember who is holding you there.

Hold on -- th master craftsman is making a new creation of you yet...

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver," Malachi 3:3

Dancing in the shadow of His cross,

Brittany - WorshipDancer900 (1 Peter 3:4)