If you’ve read my profile page (see “About” ), you’ll know there were many things I wanted to be when I grew up. The most elegant of dancers was one of them. In fact, I’d say it held a spot near the top of my childhood list. Alas, something went woefully wrong with that yearning! Nancy means ‘one of grace,’ but Charlene, when translated, must mean ‘two left feet.’
However, I think Jesus cuts a pretty mean rug. After all, I’ve danced with Him.
It wasn’t at a wedding (for sure not mine!). Instead, it was while I was washing dishes and staring out the window over the sink. I couldn’t begin to tell you what I was thinking about. But next thing I knew, the backyard had faded into a vision as vivid and real as the dish in my hand.
The waltz began and held in the arms of Jesus, I danced with an exquisite grace that would earn three 10’s from the judges’ bench on Dancing with the Stars. What was evident to me in this ‘realness,’ however, was the fact I did not know the steps. I merely followed His lead. And it was as though He danced not only His part, but also mine through me. My body, my feet, my response. But it was of Him, from Him, for Him. And oh, how we danced!
He was dressed in linen, but He was stylin’ in the most stunning royal robe I’ve ever seen. Truly fit for a King. No less breathtaking was the gown I was clothed in, with a skirt that followed His every move in a swirl of effortless beauty. There’s a lesson to be learned here…
But first let me finish painting the picture of what it was like to dance with Jesus.
There was no one but us in the whole expanse of the ballroom. Our feet must have covered the length and breadth of this room with no walls, no ceiling – just open and airy, encircled with heaven’s breath. His gaze did not waver from me. Nor could I pull my eyes away from His. No shame, no false pride, no self-doubt, no need to look at my feet and count. None of that was present. It was just a humble me ‘being’ in His arms of love.
His visit to me during that after-dinner chore was one of the most unforgettable moments of life. I had been married for several years by then, our three children were in school, and I still regretted the fact I had not gotten to dance at my wedding. Till He showed up…
He who knows the unspoken desires – and regrets – of the heart. This Jesus, who dances with grace and glory, causing the one dancing with Him to exhibit the same spiritual movement. Jesus, in whose Presence all one need do is respond, allowing Him to lead.
Sure, that’s easier said than done. We’ll look at some of the reasons in weeks to come, but not without our hearts first hearing that the same Jesus who turned water into wine at a wedding 2,000 years ago is still in the business of asking, “May I have this dance?”
In essence, He was really asking me, “May I have your heart?” He knew then and He knows now what longing resides in the depths of one’s being. Jesus is ever eager to transform those yearnings into testimonies of His faithfulness. He delights in taking what does not come naturally, was neither taught nor learned, and would never earn us a spot in America’s Got Talent. Precisely because He doesn’t need anything from us. He just wants us.
And if a wedding waltz is what our heart needs to become a little more filled with His fullness, then a wedding waltz is what we’ll get!
There is coming a day when the Bride of Christ will celebrate her marriage to the Bridegroom. I have no doubt there will be dancing, the likes of which most of us have never experienced. I just got on His dance card a little early!
Since that time He’s been continually teaching me new dance steps. Am I a pro? Heavens no! Is He? Oh yes. And when I’m ‘in Him,’ the two of us move as one. Better get back to my dance lessons…
In the twirl of His arms,
Nancy Charlene
“…the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 KJV
©2010 Nancy C. Bentz – Author’s permission granted to forward this devotional piece in its entirety, including this copyright line. For more devotionals, to leave a comment, or to subscribe to this blog, visit https://shammahsfield.com
Nanc,
It is so good to see you writing again. May the Lord continue to give you the desires of your heart and know that in His time, He will give you all that you want and more! So much more than you can even think possible. He knows you and He always fulfills His promises. May you continue to dance with Him.
I look forward to seeing all that He will do in your life.
May His Grace and Mercy cover you as you are obedent to His Call on your life. CP
Gracefully Free,
(Nancy Charlene)
Your true identity revealed! Dance, write, walk, rest, and love thru the real “YOU”.
Take a deep breath, you may be learning the Quickstep or Jive next! 🙂
Nancy has left the runway on the JESUS JET!
Love you, Jan
Nanc!
I’m loving this! I can’t wait to sit down with a cup of coffee when the kids go to school and read EVERYTHING!
Love you!
Erin
What a beautiful vision and what eloquent insights! I look forward to reading more.
Dear Nancy,
Oooh, I am so thrilled and happy for you, that Christ gave you that beautiful experience! He wants to make Himself known to each of us in unique and fulfilling ways, and He knocked it out of the park for you that day. 🙂
You wrote: “There is coming a day when the Bride of Christ will celebrate her marriage to the Bridegroom. I have no doubt there will be dancing, the likes of which most of us have never experienced.”
I loved this. As you other gals shared, I too was restricted by religion growing up, and afraid to dance. I remember going to weddings and feeling that weird back-and-forth pull between judging those having fun on the dance floor as loose and worldly, but at the same time longing so badly to not be so bound!
Oh, thank you Holy Spirit, for introducing us to Christ, and helping us know Him more. We had no idea there was such freedom in loving Him!
Pamela
Dear Pamela ~ thank you for your exuberant sharing of this ‘forever’ moment with me! It was full of waves of healing that saturated my being. How else to explain it but that He is The Real. Life here is our reality that doesn’t hold a candle to Him. And sometimes, He parts the veil and steps right into the kitchen 🙂 (yes, I get there can be all kinds of theological dissertations on that comment, but …) to experience the realness of Him is cause for loving Him more ♥ P.S. I wanted to take ballet lessons, but this waltz outshone all! His truth sets the captive dancers free ~
He’s the Real. That’s REAL-LY right on. 🙂