The Heart of a Dancer

Come show me your mercy,
as you do for all who love Your Name.

Guide my steps by your word,

so I will not be overcome with evil.

Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;

then I can obey your commandments.~ Psalm 119:132-134 (NLT)

     There are many in-depth discussions everywhere about how dancers should dress, how they should move, how many classes and conferences they should attend, whether or not technique is important, and what kind of music they should dance to. All these things matter, but has anyone considered the most important element of sacred dance, which is...the heart?  How many beautiful dancers have we seen with impeccable garments and flawless skills, only to later overhear their conversations, seen their actions, experienced their un-Christlike attitudes or read some of their social networking posts that reveal their true heart towards others? Although we are in no position to judge the condition of anyone's relationship with God, the Word does tell us that we will know people by the their fruit, which is what we see and hear (and then pray for them):

A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. ~ Matt. 7: 17-20 (NLT)

    

     So, the question is, what does the heart of a sacred dancer look like, and if a dancer doesn't yet have the the heart of Christ, how do they receive it? Here are some things to seek after...

The Heart of a Sacred Dancer is:*

Diligent ~ Proverbs 4:23-27

God- Fearing ~ Psalm 128:1; Hebrews 12: 1-12

Forgiving ~ Matthew 18: 21-35; Luke 6: 35-37

Filled with the Fruit of the Spirit ~ Galatians 5: 22-26

Humble ~ Phillipians 2

Living by Faith ~ 1 Timothy 6: 11-16

Loving ~ John: 13-34

 Passionate for Souls ~ 2 Timothy 1: 7-14; Hebrews 13:16; Romans 10: 13-15

Submitted to Authority ~ Hebrews 13:17

Teachable ~ Romans 15:14

Thankful ~ Psalm 117: 28-29; Psalm 136: 1-3

Unselfish ~ Psalm 119: 36

   

     All of these qualities make up the heart of a sacred dancer...we can study these and make sure that before we put on our beautiful garments and present that polished routine, that our hearts are completely dressed in God's character. Time-out for outward beauty without an inward witness from the Holy Spirit! When we have the true heart of a dancer, people will see Christ in us, and join us in real worship.

Blessings...and keep dancing for Christ!



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*The Heart of a Dancer - Written and compiled by Sekettia Brantley for Dancers Array "N" Christian Evangelism Dance Company Ministries

Thanks to Jeneen Harris, Director of Great Jubilee Dance Company and Ministries in San Antonio TX for providing us with this beautiful photograph that radiates the heart of a sacred dancer.
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