If your social media newsfeed was anything like mine these past few weekends, you would have seen many families celebrating the dance recitals of their loved ones. For one of those recent weekends, we were the family celebrating as my Kyle participated in his 5th dance recital. As a former dancer myself, it is a bit of an unreal experience – to see him enjoy the stage like I did and to feel so proud of him for the progress he has made in class this year. Just like the past four years, it brought tears of joy to my eyes. It was in this joy and gratitude that I found myself thanking God for the gift He has given us both in our love of dance.
Dance always has and always will be a part of me – a piece of my heart and my happiness. It has been an outlet for any emotions I have felt over the years, especially when I was a teenager and my depression hit hard. I have jokingly said on numerous occasions that it was time for me to go to dance therapy. Anger, sadness, joy, grief, excitement, anxiety – there wasn’t an emotion I couldn’t “dance out.” Seeing my son begin to experience that is truly an emotional experience for me. When I reflect on the biblical view of dance as a way of praising God, it makes sense to me: all the emotions I feel when I dance or even just think about dancing. It has always felt like a spiritual experience to me and perhaps that was God’s way of hinting to me that it actually was just that.
In Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, we learn that there is a time for everything – including dance.
“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.”
The scripture itself equates dancing with praise and joy, an escape from mourning. I encourage you to give dance a try, whether it be formally or simply in the privacy of your own home. Let your emotions and self-consciousness go and just move with the music. If you let your body take over and give your brain a rest, I think you just might find that your soul feels free. If dance isn’t physically possible for you or you really do not want to give it a try, I hope you find your “thing.” The thing that brings you joy and release. The thing that is a spiritual experience for you. The thing that makes you feel closer to God. Whatever that may be, hold on to it and do it as often as you can. Give yourself the opportunity to pray and praise in a new way.
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Lisa Replogle has had a long, ever-changing journey in her relationship with Christ, and she is excited to share what she has learned along the way.
She is a certified early childhood and special education teacher and currently teaches high school learning support. She spends her time outside of the classroom coaching Special Olympics Unified Sports and sharing her passion for dance with local groups for individuals who identify as disabled.
Lisa and her husband, Russ, are the parents of seven-year-old identical twin boys who love to be active and outdoors.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: WILLOWDALE ADVENTURE DAYS
Saturday, June 25 | Kennett Campus
Willowdale Adventure Days is an opportunity for families with kids and those who are kids at heart to have fun while growing in faith together. The event will finish with a cookout dinner sponsored by our Women's Ministry.
If the Zipline, rockwall and waterslides aren't your thing, consider participating as a volunteer. We need help with setup and serving from 5 - 7 pm and with clean up from 6:15 - 8 pm. Volunteering is a great way to be in community and show our love to each other! Thank you!
To volunteer, contact Dani Rupp at danirupp03@gmail.com.