In my early days Christians were not allowed to dance. When I was in grade school my mother would write a note to my teachers whenever it came time to learn to square dance as part of our physical education.
Dancing in the church was only permitted if you were “dancing in the Spirit.” Only a few select saints ever reached that level of spiritual intensity.
As an older Christian I read the scriptures and I found a lot of references to dancing particularly in the Psalms. I discovered the Jewish people loved to dance in praise to God. I was instructed in the matter and began to experience the joy of the Lord and the resultant desire to dance before the Lord in praise. I incorporated it into my evangelistic ministry and encouraged it whenever I would sing in our meetings. Some religious folks took offense and others were like, Why have we never known we could do this? And we would dance. Some with light steps, others like David with all their might. And yes, some entered into that level I spoke of earlier and they would dance in the Spirit. It was always a joyous time.
Jesus mentioned dancing in the story of the prodigal son. Luke 15.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
Some New Testament Christians do not allow music in the church. Some churches have music but not all permit dancing. Some churches have a dance team. Now not all believers want to dance in the church. A little too much exuberance. Though I don’t dance as well as I used to I still enjoy a few good moves when the time is appropriate.
Well, I said all that to say this. Dancing in praise to God is a great spiritual exercise. And you don’t have to wait to get to church. Crank up the praise music at home and have at it. Dance, they say, like no one is watching. The Lord will see you and bless you in it. He enjoys it when his saints rejoice in that manner. Let me prove it to you.
The book of Psalms crescendos at the end. There is a lot of praise, music, noise, and dancing.
Psalm 149: Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
Psalm 150: Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.
Dance, children, dance. -PJF-
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