Idea

An idea presented itself in a conversation I had with a dancer from the outreach I did in Scotland this summer. She reminded me how important it is to be reading the word daily and spending time with our creator and that the journey in this life is an uphill one and unless we are moving forward, we will likely fall back.

We then made an observation that stretching works the same way, if we neglect to stretch for a length of time, we will not maintain our level of flexibility, but slowly lose it over the time we don't stretch. Dance is tolling, physically, emotionally and spiritually; we're constantly being pushed to jump higher, run faster and move with strength all while laying our emotions on the table and telling a story. If all we're doing is giving, and not being filled up, we will eventually run out. I want to create some sort of devotional resource that is geared towards encouraging and motivating Christian dancers. It may be in the form of this blog, or it may be something else, even if it is just a few thoughts every so often that someone can read while they stretch.

The same way our bodies need rest, our minds and our hearts need time to reflect and refuel. Something I've learned this past year is that dancing, in most cases should not be acting. The stories we're telling need to come from a place of genuine sincerity, and that looks different for everyone. If your heart is burdened, dance a prayer, if you feel overwhelming joy, dance in praise and thanksgiving. That thought comes from one of my favourite verses:

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (NIV)