Praise Is What I Do
And They Danced
“And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.” …2 Samuel 6:14-16
“True praise of God, as distinguished from false praise, is first of all an inward emotion–a gladness and rejoicing of the heart, a music of the soul and spirit which no language can adequately express.” … International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Being in the midst of true praise is the most exhilarating feeling one can experience. The very core of the body changes, outside of any self-restraint, with no absolute explanation other than an all-encompassing advent of the Spirit.
I attended an event titled “My Dance is Praise” on Saturday promising anointed dancers and singers, deliverance, and soul saving time in the Lord. Indeed the event held to its promises. Dancers of various age and from various churches –including Brooklyn, NY, presented choreographed interpretations of the message in contemporary recorded Christian songs.
The event opened with a resounding African drummed “triumphal entry” reminiscent of biblical scenes where crowds cheering, while waving flags, flowers and psalms rejoiced. All in attendance rose to there feet with an overture of hallelujahs, shouts of joyous celebration and singing.
Throughout the dance, performances offered an awakening with inspiring, soulful, and emotional array of movements –some obviously well trained. It was refreshing to see children offer African inspired dance along with ballet themed presentations. The participation level was outstanding: feeding the audience with God given gifts, raising the level of a spiritual presence, and frenzied movements from a dancer channeling the spirit of David.
It became obvious that righteousness lives in the Black church, given the many difficulties faced by people in their daily lives. We were reminded through testimonies of the trials faced with drug abuse, incarceration, broken families, sickness, and renewal not only through the dance, but also by those willing to tell their stories. One dancer -particularly one of the most reflective, amazed us all by her ability to administer such powerful movements despite having gone through hip replacement and other surgeries to correct a birth abnormality.
The program closed with a moving, tearful dramatic dance questioning the audience for the assurance they are ready to say yes to God.
© 2009 Sharon Moore Stenhouse – All Rights Reserved
