The Ministry of Ministry

If we are to assume our position in the kingdom as sacred dancers, we must embrace the reality that we are called to bring healing, salvation, prophetic revelation and joy to the world through the sacred use of our bodies.~Author Unknown

 

     I was recently in a popular budget dancewear store, and overheard the following conversation between a young lady and an older woman who were rummaging through the piles of dance clothes:

YL: "...But I don't want to give her my skirt!"

OW: "You can't fit it anymore, and I already cut it so what are you going to do with it?"

YL: (no response, rolls her eyes, arms folded)

OW: "Well, if you aren't going to help me look, you need to go get back into the car. This is for you"

YL: "I don't want to!"

    You can probably see where this was going. Not wanting to get in the middle of their conflict, I waited to see if the Lord would lead me to say anything or to simply be quiet and keep looking for what I wanted. After a long period of silence and an increasingly growing pile of dance clothes, I asked the older woman if I could switch places with her and continue to look for my items. Then the Lord led me to speak to the young lady, and ask her where she danced, etc. and the older woman said that she was the choreographer at her church. I felt so sad for her, because she was so angry and wouldn't even look me in the eye or talk to me when I was speaking to her. The young lady was still standing there with her arms folded, and rolling her eyes at the older woman when I left.

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. ~ 2 Tim. 2:24-25 (NLT)

    Without knowing the back story of what was going on, it's not fair for me to make a judgement about the situation, but I came away from there with the understanding  that there is so much more to the dance ministry than just the dance. Everything that we do is connected to it, even those things that we feel are a waste of our time. From sorting through clothing, finding music, and to the ways in which we respond to other people around us, is all part of ministry. The truth is, we could find anyone from the street, teach them a dance, dress them up to present a piece somewhere and they would probably do a wonderful job, but unless God was in it, it wouldn't matter. We often spend so much time on externals, and our hearts are not right. We're so busy looking for just the right garments, the right song, and the right steps to move the crowd that we have forgotten about The One in whom we live, move, and have our existence. Some of us are rude, bitter, competitive, abusive, and jealous of anyone we think wants our position. Some of us operate in fear of man, and will think nothing of sacrificing those around us to keep or gain their approval. Many others are so determined to get recognition in the dance ministry circuit that we form all kinds of pseudo-alliances and run behind whomever is the most popular, saying "Amen" to their every social network post, just to say that we are friends with them, when they don't even know our names...really?

No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt themselves.
 It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. ~ Psalms 75:6-7 (NIV)

     Worshipers, no matter how young or how old we are, there is no ministry if we only see what we do as an activity, a hobby, or a job. Just because we call something a ministry, doesn't mean that God says the same thing. Doing an activity in a church building does not qualify what we do as ministry. Anyone can dance, or even teach others to dance, but once we bring it into the sanctuary as an offering to God, everything changes. Let's start examining our lifestyles, our habits, and our attitudes. Do they agree with God's Word? Are we concerned about the children and teenagers enough to encourage them in the right ways, or do we just want to keep them busy in church? Are we showing them good examples of Godly behavior at all times, or do we act one way at the church, and another way when we leave? Children know, see, recall and imitate whatever is shown to them. And remember, that once we answer the call of the Lord, everything that we do is connected with our ministry, which is our service to Him and to humanity.

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. ~ Rev. 3: 7-8 (NIV)

     I don't know whatever happened with that young lady, but I often think of her and wonder how she is doing,  and pray that she and others will one day understand the true meaning of ministry.

Selah...

     *If anyone knows of author of that profound quotation, please comment so that they can be given the proper credit here.