From the Pastor’s Heart

Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Corinthians: “Do you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are” (1Corinthians 3: 16 & 17b). We are called to care for God’s temple. It is that calling that Sandra Lane gave birth to our new Health and Wellness Ministry. She continues to post helpful suggestions on the church Web page. She also coordinates monthly workshops and/or lectures on interesting and helpful topics so that we might not only be mindful of our bodies but that we might better care for our God given bodies.

One of our recent workshops for our Health and Wellness ministry was “line dancing”, taught by Lou Ann Scott. The response was so overwhelming we decided we would hold monthly line dancing lessons in the downstairs social hall.

I watch in awe at the number of people who are able to watch Lou Ann only once and are able to put it all together with such joy and rhythm. And then there is me. You have heard the term ‘two left feet?’ Just when I think I have it, Lou Ann turns on the music and my feet just don’t seem to do what my head is telling them to do. The good news is you don’t have a partner and you don’t have to worry about stepping on someone’s feet. (Sorry Sandra Dewitt. I have no idea how I managed to step on your foot and almost break your foot.) I struggle to relax and allow the rhythm to flow. (Is there any way we can slow the music down a bit?)

I have shared in the past how I enjoyed watching my parents dance. My mom could follow my father’s lead with such ease and grace. Their feet would just glide across the dance floor, swaying to the music. The two moved as one. My sister, Diana, was able to dance with our dad with the same kind of ease and rhythm as our mother. At a wedding reception, I once saw Diana dance to “Wipe Out”. I have no idea how she did that without dislocating her hip! I must have been in the other room when God was handing out rhythm.

Even though this dancing thing doesn’t seem to come naturally, I think I am seeing some small improvement as I stick to it and practice the dances over and over again. (Keep this just between us, this morning I was practicing a few of the steps in the hallway and I looked up and there was Louie standing at the top of the steps watching. I am sure he was shaking his head in disbelief wondering what my problem was. Now let’s see there is….the jazz box step, the shuffle, the fan, the Charleston step, kick ball change, left and right vine, heels and toes, the knee pops and you sway your hips. Then someone commented that Sandra Lane said, “Oh I have to see Russel do that!”

PRACTICE…PRACTICE…PRACTICE…PRACTICE…PRACTICE..

God invites us to join Him in a dance. And for many that dance doesn’t seem to come very naturally. There are some complicated and complex steps in God’s dance. Now let’s see, there is…

• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.
• You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
• Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
• This I command you, to love one another.
• If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
• Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God, in Christ, forgave you.
• If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross.

All of those steps (and there are more…many more) don’t always come naturally; in fact, we struggle with many of these dance steps. We are not alone in our struggle. John Wesley, our founding father, struggled as well. On his journey to the colonies, the ship he boarded encountered a severe storm and he feared for his life. A group of Moravians was also on board and during the storm they peacefully sang hymns. That night John wrote in his journal, “I have come to save the Indians, but who will save me?” Even as an ordained priest, John Wesley struggled with his faith and his salvation. His good friend, Peter Bohler, told John: “Preach faith until you have it and because you have, you will preach faith.”

If we are to be good dancers we must persevere. We must not give up. We must practice again and again and again. If we are to be good and faithful Christians, it takes much perseverance. We must not give up. We must practice…practice…practice…until our Christ likeness comes naturally. I invite you to come and join our dance lessons. I will try not to step on your foot. The good news is no one is judgmental. Everyone is patient and kind. No one laughs at you. They are most helpful when you struggle. I invite you to come to worship, Bible study, Sunday School and other faith-enhancing opportunities where you will not have to worry about being judged or laughed at. It is a safe place, where we help each other when we struggle; when this faith thing seems not to come naturally. We pick each other up and we walk hand in hand, as we dance with God. The good news for us is when we stumble and fall, God’s grace is always sufficient.

Sydney Carter’s folk hymn, Lord of the Dance, written in 1963, is interpreted to be life lived in its fullest abundance, or as Carter defines it, “the image of all faith.” The stanzas choreograph the life of Christ, with the refrain inviting singers to “Dance then, where you may be.”

Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he.
And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

I invite you to dance with me as God leads the way. And the dance goes on….

Blessings,
Pastor Russel