Christian Living

DANCING THE CIRCLE DANCE

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
06/02/20
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PROLOGUE

A rather unique fiction blog of circle worship dancing. We know from the reading of Scripture that dancing was an encouraged undertaking in both the Old and New Testaments, and is enjoyed in today’s environment.  

"In Biblical Hebrew the term for dance refers to a circle dance. Circle dancing is the main form of dancing at Jewish celebrations, but why does Jewish tradition encourage dancing in a circle? Traditional Jewish belief holds that demonic forces cannot penetrate a circle. Hence, a circle represents unity, safety, and purpose, and helps those dancing to connect to the Creator through connecting with each other. (Psalm 149:3)"

"Among the Jews, dancing was always a favorite pastime for girls and women (Jeremiah 31:4). It was imitated by children playing on the street and often incorporated into their games (Job 21:11), (Matthew 11:17) and (Luke 7:32). In ancient times especially, men also expressed the joy in their hearts through dance (II Samuel 6:5,14). Dancing among the Israelite men and women was always separate. The sexes did not dance together, bringing in the popular use of scarves which connected couples, but without the actual touching. The use of scarfs moved with the centuries and is popular still today."

"Contemporary Jewish circle dancing is a favorite entertainment at weddings. Tradition calls on guests to entertain the bride and groom by dancing. Two chairs are placed in the center of the room, where the bride and groom sit. The guests form a circle around the two, and their circle dance, called an hora, begins. At orthodox weddings, the bride and groom do not touch when dancing, so they each hold the end of a scarf in order to join in the dancing. Messianic Jews do not use the scarf, though circle dancing is popular with them also.” (prayercircles.blogspot.com)

Once, when just a mere lad, our church held a very productive revival campaign.  My old preacher Daddy, always known to be a rather quiet conservative, was circling the aisle at the close of the services. Sudden, without warning, as he was walking past my seat, he instantly jumped, what seem to be a mile high, shouting as he jumped. He then quietly continued his walk up the aisle as if nothing had taken place.  Being a young lad, I was literally scared out of my wits. It never happened to Dad again, nor did anyone ever mentioned this happening, including Dad. It had to be a Spirit-inspired experience.

So now sit back and enjoy this fiction parable, that of an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, whereby the participants danced around in a circle with raised holy hands worshiping and praising God. Now for our story “Dancing The Circle Dance ”

It was that time of year, the time of our annual summer camp.  It was a special outing for our church youth. As the church's youth minister, I too was all packed up and raring to go.

We arrived and set up camp around dusk. After pitching the tents in a circle, we immediately built our camp fire in the middle to ward off any unwanted four-legged guests.

As the sun set behind the mountain skyline we ate our evening meal, and enjoyed our good-night fireside Bible devotions. We then settled in for the night.

My remembrance of this year’s annual camping venture was one for the books. It started not in the campsite, nor the woods, nor anywhere close. It was a vision of the utmost importance, not only for me but for all my campers as well.

Inside my tent, I saw a strange vision. I was abruptly awakened by a most unusual and disturbing chain of events. A gust of wind popped my tent canvas, and I feared I was a goner.

Next, a large shadowy figure morphed into a real live camper. No, not any of the boys, but a fully-clothed elderly man, all decked out in the most unusual camping gear of at least a century past. I waited for him to speak, to get some idea of his origin from his speech.  

Without saying a word, he took my hand, and out the tent and into the night sky we went, up and over the peaks of the mountain summit, until we reached what appeared to be a tent village of vintage arrangement. There were many tents arranged in a perfect circle.

There were men, women and children all marching or dancing in a circle to the tune of some sort of praise and worship music.

“Sir, you’ve not said a word this entire trip," I observed. "Please, kind Sir, what’s this all about, why the dancing around in a circle?”

"O my son, my apologies, this is a holy, sacred circle dance, a dance of festivity and celebration. They are dancing in the circle of joy,” he replied.

“A celebration of what, kind Sir?” I quickly asked, while he seemed to be in a talking mood. 

“It’s like this, my son, one can always walk or march for a particular cause or protest, in a straight line, in an attempt to go somewhere for something, to accomplish a particular goal, to arrive at a certain destination," he explained.

“In a heavenly circle dance, a dance of celebration, there is no ulterior motive, no enemy to oppose, nowhere in particular to go, just taking part in a festive celebration. In other words, these people are dancing as one, because they are of one spirit with one cause of thanksgiving. They have no selfishness in mind, no specific exact place to go, only a celebration. So, around and around they go in praise and worship.”

“Can’t you just see; how happy they seem to be?" he went on. "Men are beating drums, women shaking tambourines, young ones clapping to the beat of the given tunes.  You being a decorated camp leader with a rightful religious background, you could probably quote any number of cases of this type dancing found in the Scripture.”

“So then, do you have any idea what these people are celebrating?” I wondered out loud.

“Why, yes I do. It’s simply a dance of joy. They are in full worship mode, celebrating the love, mercy and grace of their Father, the living God. It is their Sabbath and they are worshiping Him, with raised holy hands towards heaven,” he answered.

“OK, I get it Sir. I get the message. I know exactly what I need to be doing. Now may we just return to my camp site? I don’t want to leave those young ones alone,” I requested.

“Sir, Sir where did you go? How am I to get back? I don’t even know where we are!"

And just like that, he was gone, and so were the tents and the dancers and as I awoke, I found myself back in my tent. Flipping open the tent flap, I could see the morning sunrise. The view was breathtaking as usual. It was as if God had taken a brush and painted the morning sky with His Glory. The young ones were just finishing breakfast.

“OK, let’s all gather around the fire pit for our last morning devotion," I called. "Today will be different. When I blow my whistle we will all circle around the fire while singing our camp song. I want you all to sing it like you mean it, with hands raised to heaven in praise and worship.”

“What’s this all about, and where have you been, Sir? You weren’t here for breakfast!” they cried in one accord.

“Never mind," I replied, "Let’s just leave it at that. Time to break camp and get moving, it's time to head home.”

All the way home my mind seemed to be in a daze. I was preoccupied with the events of my weird vision. Once at home, I dropped to my knees, and my prayer was a simple one, of repentance, reconciliation, and joy.  (I John 1:8-9)

Afterwards, I found myself smiling from ear to ear. “Will I have a show and tell message, come Sunday’s youth service!” Amen!

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed this little fiction blog. Although fiction in nature, we may still live our lives day by day as a life of spiritual achievement, filled with worship and praise to our loving Savior. And yes, we may even live our lives within a dance of peace, of love and thanksgiving.

(The following excerpt taken anomalously from the internet) “Dance, in and of itself, is not the issue that the church should be addressing or even desiring. There is no power in a person physically dancing in the front of the church during a service without the prompting of the Spirit, any more than a preacher preaching, or a worship leader leading without the guidance of the Holy Spirit guiding and directing him. The issue that needs to be addressed and desired in a church body, is a willingness and obedience to the call of the Spirit of God in worship; if He is prompting an individual to raise their hands to Him, kneel before Him, or dance to Him, the body of Christ should be unified and obedient to respect that call no matter how individuals within the group feel. The enemy, Satan, will never prompt a believer to authentically praise God, but will be happy to whisper reasons why not to."

“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire” (I Thess. 5:19). Seeing the act of dancing to God as solely a worldly activity, is to be stuck on outward appearance and rules from man’s traditions, and is missing the miracle and workings of God’s Spirit in an individual’s life and within the body of Christ.”

Now, are you ready to dance, my friend? Not a jig, not a square, but a simple joyous celebratory circle dance in honor of the goodness of your all-knowing, all-powerful heavenly Father. Oh yes, you may do so, and grab your spouse, as well. (Psalm 30:11-12)  

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