|
Reflection: |
My husband
Jeff and I
are studying
ballroom
dancing,
primarily
because I
expressed a
desire to
twirl around
the dance
floor in a
fancy dress
and he
agreed to
help me. Now
after
several
classes and
numerous
private
lessons, I
realize
dancing
involves
more than
self-expression.
It requires
a
partnership
in which two
people work
together,
the man
leading and
the woman
following,
with an
intention on
the part of
both to
create
something
beautiful.
So when the
psalmist
calls upon
children of
Israel to
praise the
Lord through
dancing, I
know this is
far more
than a call
for
self-expression;
it's an
invitation
to enter
into a
sacred
relationship
that brings
grace, joy,
freedom and
beauty to
those who
welcome the
Spirit's
lead.
Our
dancing
instructor
reminds us
periodically
that
although the
woman's role
is to
follow, she
voluntarily
does so.
"Just
because the
man raises
his arm, the
woman does
not need to
go
underneath
it," he
says.
Similarly,
we may
choose (or
not) to
surrender to
God. Far
from
restricting
our movement
and
individual
expression,
such
surrender
makes it
possible.
Now
waltzing
around the
floor with
relative
ease, Jeff
and I enjoy
this new way
of relating.
And, yes, my
dress is
swirling,
just as I
imagined it
would. |